American Idol guy & Cats

Clay Aiken Targeted In Ridiculous Ad Campaign
Wednesday November 19, 2003 @ 03:30 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff


Animal rights group People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA)
have taken some shots at celebrities in the past with their
sensational ad campaigns before, but this time they may have gone too
far. PETA have just delayed an ad campaign that attacks the measure of
American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken's manhood, but they're warning
Aiken that if he doesn't change his alleged anti-house cat stance,
they'll push the ad ahead.

The ad in question features cult hero Triumph The Insult Comic Dog (a
rubber puppet known for his delightful vulgarity) and the slogan "Get
Neutered. It Didn't Hurt Clay Aiken." According to the Associated
Press, the puppet ad-libbed the quote, but PETA decided to keep it in
once they found out that Aiken is a cat hater.

The anti-cat allegations come from a Rolling Stone interview that
Aiken did earlier this year in which he admits to having cat phobia.
He told the magazine that he had accidentally run over a kitten when
he was a teenager and since witnessing the animal's death, he's felt
that the cat's spirit has "haunted" him, thus spurring on his phobia.

So, Clay's a dog person. Does that give PETA the right to attack his
masculinity?

PETA are giving Aiken a chance to redeem himself if the singer agrees
to support the organization. According to AP, the organization will
change their slogan to the equally asinine, but less slanderous, "Cut
‘em off. The don't taste that great anyway," if Aiken agrees to do an
interview for the PETA website and post a message on his own website
encouraging his fans to spay/neuter their pets. PETA may not support
cat-hating, but it looks like there's no rule against blackmail in
their moral handbook.

Aiken has not publicly commented on the matter, but his lawyer has
reportedly been in contact with PETA. The organization claims that
they will run the Aiken ads next week if the singer doesn't bow to
their demands.

I think it goes beyond that. He made a very disgusting comment towards cats
and he needs to take responsibility for that. He may have had a bad
experience when he was 16 when he ran over that cat (which was probably
accidental) but you don't say how cats are evil and that there is nothing
worse than a housecat. It's as if he blames the kitten for what happened. I
don't normally agree with PETA but I think this message sends a clear
warning to Aiken to stand up and apologize. He may not like cats but he
certainly sends a message to his fans that cats are bad and if you run over
one it is ok. When you are a roll model you have the responsibility to lead
by example.

--
Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs!
www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek

Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time!
www.catgalaxymedia.com
"Elizabeth M." wrote in message
So basically, because Clay had a bad experience with a cat, and now
doesn't
like them, he's suddenly a bad person? He's not allowed to voice his
personal preference? What, will Calvin Klein start to run derogatory
advertisements against Ricky Martin if he suddenly announces that he
prefers
Hanes instead? What's next? You can't announce that you like a certain
shampoo? That's just fricking nonsense. Personally, I'm not a big Clay
Aiken
fan, but I'll darn well stand up and support him should he choose to stand
against PETA for this stupid and moronic choice of theirs. Clay, and all
of
his fans, should go support a worthy animal cause, such as the ASPCA, the
Humane Society, or the World Wildlife Fund. I'm sure any one of those
organizations would do wonderful things with your donations, not take time
out to bash celebrities for their personal choice.

================================================== ===========
http://www.triumphtheinsultcomicdog.com/

TRIUMPH ON THE PETA AD
"Recently I agreed to do an ad for PETA. Why? I'm not into animal rights.
The only animal right I want is the right to hump Ashanti's leg. Look at
your average animal lovers, like Moby and Bill Maher. Sure, Bill Maher
love
animals... that's because humans hate him! Moby? Nice guy, but not the
best
looking man. I hear Moby had sex with a poodle once, and the poodle was
arrested for bestiality. Vegetarianism? Count me out. I ain't giving up
cow,
or bird, or pig. So why the hell should you? Hell, we'd eat you if someone
dropped a slice on the floor. Oh, yes. We'll have the deep fried Moby with
a
side of glazed Mary Tyler Moore, please. Dessert? I'm torn between the Pam
Anderson flambe and the flourless Alec Baldwin cake. Bottom line: animals
are assholes. Delicious assholes.

Which brings me back to this PETA ad. Why would I endorse neutering? After
all, I rip into another animal-hugging nut job, Bob Barker, on the CD. The
guy can't stop telling people to cut their pets' nuts off. So Jack Black
and
I have at him: "Bob Barker got a bone to pick/gonna make a chew toy outta
your dick/these teeth are sharp and the price is right/gonna neuter your
ass
with one nut crackin' bite." There can be only one reason I would then
turn
around and advocate ball chopping: free publicity. Timed right with the
release of the CD. Did I mention animals are assholes?

That should be the end of the story. But hold the phone - we're dealing
with
PETA. Bong - cuckoo! As you see, I made a typically poopy quip in the ad:
"Get Neutered - It Didn't Hurt Clay Aiken." It actually wasn't my first
choice. I really wanted "Chop 'Em Off - They Didn't Taste That Great
Anyway." But PETA was jonesing for the Clay joke. Whatever. Just give me
my
pub and go back to your spray painting.
Turns out PETA had an ax to grind with Clay. They released the ad and a
press release, quoting Clay talking trash about cats, like "Cats are
Satan."
Never mind that Clay keeds. They quoted Clay saying "I ran over a kitten
when I was 16." Never mind that they left out the part where Clay said it
was an accident that haunts him to this day. (click here to read his
quote)
Well played, PETA. And I thought I was the pub whore.

So here I am -- caught in the middle of crappy tunes and looney tunes...
when all I wanted was to whore myself. Of course, I have to stand with
Clay,
even if they hadn't twisted his quotes. This is about a basic human and
animal right that must be preserved... the right to poop, to joke, to
keed.
Look, I sing "Cats Are C***s" on the CD, but I keed. I don't hate cats.
I've
even banged a few in my day. Just never let a cat give you a hand job."

I think it goes beyond that. He made a very disgusting comment towards cats
and he needs to take responsibility for that. He may have had a bad
experience when he was 16 when he ran over that cat (which was probably
accidental) but you don't say how cats are evil and that there is nothing
worse than a housecat. It's as if he blames the kitten for what happened. I
don't normally agree with PETA but I think this message sends a clear
warning to Aiken to stand up and apologize. He may not like cats but he
certainly sends a message to his fans that cats are bad and if you run over
one it is ok. When you are a roll model you have the responsibility to lead
by example.

--
Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs!
www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek

Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time!
www.catgalaxymedia.com
"Elizabeth M." wrote in message
So basically, because Clay had a bad experience with a cat, and now
doesn't
like them, he's suddenly a bad person? He's not allowed to voice his
personal preference? What, will Calvin Klein start to run derogatory
advertisements against Ricky Martin if he suddenly announces that he
prefers
Hanes instead? What's next? You can't announce that you like a certain
shampoo? That's just fricking nonsense. Personally, I'm not a big Clay
Aiken
fan, but I'll darn well stand up and support him should he choose to stand
against PETA for this stupid and moronic choice of theirs. Clay, and all
of
his fans, should go support a worthy animal cause, such as the ASPCA, the
Humane Society, or the World Wildlife Fund. I'm sure any one of those
organizations would do wonderful things with your donations, not take time
out to bash celebrities for their personal choice.

================================================== ===========
http://www.triumphtheinsultcomicdog.com/

TRIUMPH ON THE PETA AD
"Recently I agreed to do an ad for PETA. Why? I'm not into animal rights.
The only animal right I want is the right to hump Ashanti's leg. Look at
your average animal lovers, like Moby and Bill Maher. Sure, Bill Maher
love
animals... that's because humans hate him! Moby? Nice guy, but not the
best
looking man. I hear Moby had sex with a poodle once, and the poodle was
arrested for bestiality. Vegetarianism? Count me out. I ain't giving up
cow,
or bird, or pig. So why the hell should you? Hell, we'd eat you if someone
dropped a slice on the floor. Oh, yes. We'll have the deep fried Moby with
a
side of glazed Mary Tyler Moore, please. Dessert? I'm torn between the Pam
Anderson flambe and the flourless Alec Baldwin cake. Bottom line: animals
are assholes. Delicious assholes.

Which brings me back to this PETA ad. Why would I endorse neutering? After
all, I rip into another animal-hugging nut job, Bob Barker, on the CD. The
guy can't stop telling people to cut their pets' nuts off. So Jack Black
and
I have at him: "Bob Barker got a bone to pick/gonna make a chew toy outta
your dick/these teeth are sharp and the price is right/gonna neuter your
ass
with one nut crackin' bite." There can be only one reason I would then
turn
around and advocate ball chopping: free publicity. Timed right with the
release of the CD. Did I mention animals are assholes?

That should be the end of the story. But hold the phone - we're dealing
with
PETA. Bong - cuckoo! As you see, I made a typically poopy quip in the ad:
"Get Neutered - It Didn't Hurt Clay Aiken." It actually wasn't my first
choice. I really wanted "Chop 'Em Off - They Didn't Taste That Great
Anyway." But PETA was jonesing for the Clay joke. Whatever. Just give me
my
pub and go back to your spray painting.
Turns out PETA had an ax to grind with Clay. They released the ad and a
press release, quoting Clay talking trash about cats, like "Cats are
Satan."
Never mind that Clay keeds. They quoted Clay saying "I ran over a kitten
when I was 16." Never mind that they left out the part where Clay said it
was an accident that haunts him to this day. (click here to read his
quote)
Well played, PETA. And I thought I was the pub whore.

So here I am -- caught in the middle of crappy tunes and looney tunes...
when all I wanted was to whore myself. Of course, I have to stand with
Clay,
even if they hadn't twisted his quotes. This is about a basic human and
animal right that must be preserved... the right to poop, to joke, to
keed.
Look, I sing "Cats Are C***s" on the CD, but I keed. I don't hate cats.
I've
even banged a few in my day. Just never let a cat give you a hand job."

I think it goes beyond that. He made a very disgusting comment towards cats
and he needs to take responsibility for that. He may have had a bad
experience when he was 16 when he ran over that cat (which was probably
accidental) but you don't say how cats are evil and that there is nothing
worse than a housecat. It's as if he blames the kitten for what happened. I
don't normally agree with PETA but I think this message sends a clear
warning to Aiken to stand up and apologize. He may not like cats but he
certainly sends a message to his fans that cats are bad and if you run over
one it is ok. When you are a roll model you have the responsibility to lead
by example.

--
Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs!
www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek

Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time!
www.catgalaxymedia.com
"Elizabeth M." wrote in message
So basically, because Clay had a bad experience with a cat, and now
doesn't
like them, he's suddenly a bad person? He's not allowed to voice his
personal preference? What, will Calvin Klein start to run derogatory
advertisements against Ricky Martin if he suddenly announces that he
prefers
Hanes instead? What's next? You can't announce that you like a certain
shampoo? That's just fricking nonsense. Personally, I'm not a big Clay
Aiken
fan, but I'll darn well stand up and support him should he choose to stand
against PETA for this stupid and moronic choice of theirs. Clay, and all
of
his fans, should go support a worthy animal cause, such as the ASPCA, the
Humane Society, or the World Wildlife Fund. I'm sure any one of those
organizations would do wonderful things with your donations, not take time
out to bash celebrities for their personal choice.

================================================== ===========
http://www.triumphtheinsultcomicdog.com/

TRIUMPH ON THE PETA AD
"Recently I agreed to do an ad for PETA. Why? I'm not into animal rights.
The only animal right I want is the right to hump Ashanti's leg. Look at
your average animal lovers, like Moby and Bill Maher. Sure, Bill Maher
love
animals... that's because humans hate him! Moby? Nice guy, but not the
best
looking man. I hear Moby had sex with a poodle once, and the poodle was
arrested for bestiality. Vegetarianism? Count me out. I ain't giving up
cow,
or bird, or pig. So why the hell should you? Hell, we'd eat you if someone
dropped a slice on the floor. Oh, yes. We'll have the deep fried Moby with
a
side of glazed Mary Tyler Moore, please. Dessert? I'm torn between the Pam
Anderson flambe and the flourless Alec Baldwin cake. Bottom line: animals
are assholes. Delicious assholes.

Which brings me back to this PETA ad. Why would I endorse neutering? After
all, I rip into another animal-hugging nut job, Bob Barker, on the CD. The
guy can't stop telling people to cut their pets' nuts off. So Jack Black
and
I have at him: "Bob Barker got a bone to pick/gonna make a chew toy outta
your dick/these teeth are sharp and the price is right/gonna neuter your
ass
with one nut crackin' bite." There can be only one reason I would then
turn
around and advocate ball chopping: free publicity. Timed right with the
release of the CD. Did I mention animals are assholes?

That should be the end of the story. But hold the phone - we're dealing
with
PETA. Bong - cuckoo! As you see, I made a typically poopy quip in the ad:
"Get Neutered - It Didn't Hurt Clay Aiken." It actually wasn't my first
choice. I really wanted "Chop 'Em Off - They Didn't Taste That Great
Anyway." But PETA was jonesing for the Clay joke. Whatever. Just give me
my
pub and go back to your spray painting.
Turns out PETA had an ax to grind with Clay. They released the ad and a
press release, quoting Clay talking trash about cats, like "Cats are
Satan."
Never mind that Clay keeds. They quoted Clay saying "I ran over a kitten
when I was 16." Never mind that they left out the part where Clay said it
was an accident that haunts him to this day. (click here to read his
quote)
Well played, PETA. And I thought I was the pub whore.

So here I am -- caught in the middle of crappy tunes and looney tunes...
when all I wanted was to whore myself. Of course, I have to stand with
Clay,
even if they hadn't twisted his quotes. This is about a basic human and
animal right that must be preserved... the right to poop, to joke, to
keed.
Look, I sing "Cats Are C***s" on the CD, but I keed. I don't hate cats.
I've
even banged a few in my day. Just never let a cat give you a hand job."

Where exactly are you getting these articles? You don't seem to list a
source.

--
Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs!
www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek

Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time!
www.catgalaxymedia.com
"Elizabeth M." wrote in message
om...
Clay Aiken Targeted In Ridiculous Ad Campaign
Wednesday November 19, 2003 @ 03:30 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff


Animal rights group People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA)
have taken some shots at celebrities in the past with their
sensational ad campaigns before, but this time they may have gone too
far. PETA have just delayed an ad campaign that attacks the measure of
American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken's manhood, but they're warning
Aiken that if he doesn't change his alleged anti-house cat stance,
they'll push the ad ahead.

The ad in question features cult hero Triumph The Insult Comic Dog (a
rubber puppet known for his delightful vulgarity) and the slogan "Get
Neutered. It Didn't Hurt Clay Aiken." According to the Associated
Press, the puppet ad-libbed the quote, but PETA decided to keep it in
once they found out that Aiken is a cat hater.

The anti-cat allegations come from a Rolling Stone interview that
Aiken did earlier this year in which he admits to having cat phobia.
He told the magazine that he had accidentally run over a kitten when
he was a teenager and since witnessing the animal's death, he's felt
that the cat's spirit has "haunted" him, thus spurring on his phobia.

So, Clay's a dog person. Does that give PETA the right to attack his
masculinity?

PETA are giving Aiken a chance to redeem himself if the singer agrees
to support the organization. According to AP, the organization will
change their slogan to the equally asinine, but less slanderous, "Cut
'em off. The don't taste that great anyway," if Aiken agrees to do an
interview for the PETA website and post a message on his own website
encouraging his fans to spay/neuter their pets. PETA may not support
cat-hating, but it looks like there's no rule against blackmail in
their moral handbook.

Aiken has not publicly commented on the matter, but his lawyer has
reportedly been in contact with PETA. The organization claims that
they will run the Aiken ads next week if the singer doesn't bow to
their demands.

Where exactly are you getting these articles? You don't seem to list a
source.

--
Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs!
www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek

Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time!
www.catgalaxymedia.com
"Elizabeth M." wrote in message
om...
Clay Aiken Targeted In Ridiculous Ad Campaign
Wednesday November 19, 2003 @ 03:30 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff


Animal rights group People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA)
have taken some shots at celebrities in the past with their
sensational ad campaigns before, but this time they may have gone too
far. PETA have just delayed an ad campaign that attacks the measure of
American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken's manhood, but they're warning
Aiken that if he doesn't change his alleged anti-house cat stance,
they'll push the ad ahead.

The ad in question features cult hero Triumph The Insult Comic Dog (a
rubber puppet known for his delightful vulgarity) and the slogan "Get
Neutered. It Didn't Hurt Clay Aiken." According to the Associated
Press, the puppet ad-libbed the quote, but PETA decided to keep it in
once they found out that Aiken is a cat hater.

The anti-cat allegations come from a Rolling Stone interview that
Aiken did earlier this year in which he admits to having cat phobia.
He told the magazine that he had accidentally run over a kitten when
he was a teenager and since witnessing the animal's death, he's felt
that the cat's spirit has "haunted" him, thus spurring on his phobia.

So, Clay's a dog person. Does that give PETA the right to attack his
masculinity?

PETA are giving Aiken a chance to redeem himself if the singer agrees
to support the organization. According to AP, the organization will
change their slogan to the equally asinine, but less slanderous, "Cut
'em off. The don't taste that great anyway," if Aiken agrees to do an
interview for the PETA website and post a message on his own website
encouraging his fans to spay/neuter their pets. PETA may not support
cat-hating, but it looks like there's no rule against blackmail in
their moral handbook.

Aiken has not publicly commented on the matter, but his lawyer has
reportedly been in contact with PETA. The organization claims that
they will run the Aiken ads next week if the singer doesn't bow to
their demands.

Where exactly are you getting these articles? You don't seem to list a
source.

--
Panther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs!
www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek

Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time!
www.catgalaxymedia.com
"Elizabeth M." wrote in message
om...
Clay Aiken Targeted In Ridiculous Ad Campaign
Wednesday November 19, 2003 @ 03:30 PM
By: ChartAttack.com Staff


Animal rights group People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA)
have taken some shots at celebrities in the past with their
sensational ad campaigns before, but this time they may have gone too
far. PETA have just delayed an ad campaign that attacks the measure of
American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken's manhood, but they're warning
Aiken that if he doesn't change his alleged anti-house cat stance,
they'll push the ad ahead.

The ad in question features cult hero Triumph The Insult Comic Dog (a
rubber puppet known for his delightful vulgarity) and the slogan "Get
Neutered. It Didn't Hurt Clay Aiken." According to the Associated
Press, the puppet ad-libbed the quote, but PETA decided to keep it in
once they found out that Aiken is a cat hater.

The anti-cat allegations come from a Rolling Stone interview that
Aiken did earlier this year in which he admits to having cat phobia.
He told the magazine that he had accidentally run over a kitten when
he was a teenager and since witnessing the animal's death, he's felt
that the cat's spirit has "haunted" him, thus spurring on his phobia.

So, Clay's a dog person. Does that give PETA the right to attack his
masculinity?

PETA are giving Aiken a chance to redeem himself if the singer agrees
to support the organization. According to AP, the organization will
change their slogan to the equally asinine, but less slanderous, "Cut
'em off. The don't taste that great anyway," if Aiken agrees to do an
interview for the PETA website and post a message on his own website
encouraging his fans to spay/neuter their pets. PETA may not support
cat-hating, but it looks like there's no rule against blackmail in
their moral handbook.

Aiken has not publicly commented on the matter, but his lawyer has
reportedly been in contact with PETA. The organization claims that
they will run the Aiken ads next week if the singer doesn't bow to
their demands.

http://www.foxesonidol.com/cgi-bin/a...364.art&page=1

PETA Delays Clay Ad, Wants to Use Him for More Publicity
by David Bloomberg -- 11/19/2003


People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) apparently doesn't
extend that ethical treatment to humans. They have delayed official
publication of the ad saying Clay was "neutered," but want to force
him to give them additional publicity or they'll run it anyway. Read
on for details.

Clay Aiken fans have apparently succeeded where so many others have
failed – they managed to put a dent in the dogma machine that is
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

As readers no doubt recall, PETA recently announced a new ad campaign
targeting Clay Aiken and calling him "neutered." Although they had not
formally started the campaign, the announcements and their website had
the ad already available, so it basically served as free advertising
for them.

Perhaps that advertising was enough, or maybe they started to get
worried about the legality of calling somebody "neutered." Or maybe
all of the calls and e-mails from Clay's fans, as well as people
announcing that they would not give further money to PETA, had some
impact after all. PETA has announced that they are delaying the
campaign… for now.

PETA claims they are delaying the ad to see if Clay will apologize for
making his negative comments about cats. In fact, the vice president
of the group said, "If Clay Aiken intends on staying famous, he has to
learn to take a joke." A joke? Well, yes, PETA could be construed as a
joke when they act like this. In fact, to many the group has become
one sick joke after another.

The problem is that PETA took what Clay said about cats out of context
– he was talking about how he had accidentally run over his kitten (as
explained by his mother in our previous article on this issue). PETA
took it as some attack on animals, which is ridiculous.

But PETA doesn't just want Clay to apologize for them taking his words
out of context – they want him to post a message on his website urging
people to spay or neuter their pets and give an interview for PETA's
website.

To be completely honest, I hope Clay deviates from his usual character
and tells PETA to go f*** themselves. That may sound harsh, I know,
but the group is essentially trying to blackmail him: "Do this and
that or we'll run this ad." First they insult him, then they
oh-so-graciously say they will delay the ad, and they won't run it if
he gives them even more publicity – but they will run it if he
doesn't. Mind you, this is the same group that compared Holocaust
victims to animals.

PETA did admit that Clay's attorney contacted them, so maybe that had
something to do with it. I say this because PETA certainly never
backed down in their Holocaust advertising, even though they offended
far more people with that one than the Clay ad.

The organization has certainly learned how to get the most bang for
their buck. By previewing the ad on their website and announcing that
they would start running it, the media informed many people about the
ad, thus getting their "message" out without ever having to spend a
dime on advertising. Now when Clay fans, his attorney, and others have
fired back, PETA makes more publicity by saying they are putting a
hold on the ad. Then, if they decide to not run the ad, they can try
to win back Clay fans by saying, "See, we didn't run it." Hopefully,
fans won't be so forgiving. If they decide to run the ad after all, it
can work almost as an after-thought, because so many people have seen
them already. And if they can get Clay to give them an interview, they
will have scored a major publicity coup – another reason I,
personally, hope he tells them to shove off.

I have heard from many people who support animal rights and, in
theory, agree with PETA's mission. However, the dogmatic position PETA
has taken, coupled with the way they will go to any lengths to get
publicity, no matter who they hurt, has turned off many, many people.
The organization needs to take a serious look at how they promote
their message. Unfortunately, because of all the free advertising they
receive from these sorts of occurrences, I doubt that will happen
anytime soon.

David Bloomberg is the Editor of Foxes On Idol, and can be reached at
.

http://www.foxesonidol.com/cgi-bin/a...364.art&page=1

PETA Delays Clay Ad, Wants to Use Him for More Publicity
by David Bloomberg -- 11/19/2003


People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) apparently doesn't
extend that ethical treatment to humans. They have delayed official
publication of the ad saying Clay was "neutered," but want to force
him to give them additional publicity or they'll run it anyway. Read
on for details.

Clay Aiken fans have apparently succeeded where so many others have
failed – they managed to put a dent in the dogma machine that is
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

As readers no doubt recall, PETA recently announced a new ad campaign
targeting Clay Aiken and calling him "neutered." Although they had not
formally started the campaign, the announcements and their website had
the ad already available, so it basically served as free advertising
for them.

Perhaps that advertising was enough, or maybe they started to get
worried about the legality of calling somebody "neutered." Or maybe
all of the calls and e-mails from Clay's fans, as well as people
announcing that they would not give further money to PETA, had some
impact after all. PETA has announced that they are delaying the
campaign… for now.

PETA claims they are delaying the ad to see if Clay will apologize for
making his negative comments about cats. In fact, the vice president
of the group said, "If Clay Aiken intends on staying famous, he has to
learn to take a joke." A joke? Well, yes, PETA could be construed as a
joke when they act like this. In fact, to many the group has become
one sick joke after another.

The problem is that PETA took what Clay said about cats out of context
– he was talking about how he had accidentally run over his kitten (as
explained by his mother in our previous article on this issue). PETA
took it as some attack on animals, which is ridiculous.

But PETA doesn't just want Clay to apologize for them taking his words
out of context – they want him to post a message on his website urging
people to spay or neuter their pets and give an interview for PETA's
website.

To be completely honest, I hope Clay deviates from his usual character
and tells PETA to go f*** themselves. That may sound harsh, I know,
but the group is essentially trying to blackmail him: "Do this and
that or we'll run this ad." First they insult him, then they
oh-so-graciously say they will delay the ad, and they won't run it if
he gives them even more publicity – but they will run it if he
doesn't. Mind you, this is the same group that compared Holocaust
victims to animals.

PETA did admit that Clay's attorney contacted them, so maybe that had
something to do with it. I say this because PETA certainly never
backed down in their Holocaust advertising, even though they offended
far more people with that one than the Clay ad.

The organization has certainly learned how to get the most bang for
their buck. By previewing the ad on their website and announcing that
they would start running it, the media informed many people about the
ad, thus getting their "message" out without ever having to spend a
dime on advertising. Now when Clay fans, his attorney, and others have
fired back, PETA makes more publicity by saying they are putting a
hold on the ad. Then, if they decide to not run the ad, they can try
to win back Clay fans by saying, "See, we didn't run it." Hopefully,
fans won't be so forgiving. If they decide to run the ad after all, it
can work almost as an after-thought, because so many people have seen
them already. And if they can get Clay to give them an interview, they
will have scored a major publicity coup – another reason I,
personally, hope he tells them to shove off.

I have heard from many people who support animal rights and, in
theory, agree with PETA's mission. However, the dogmatic position PETA
has taken, coupled with the way they will go to any lengths to get
publicity, no matter who they hurt, has turned off many, many people.
The organization needs to take a serious look at how they promote
their message. Unfortunately, because of all the free advertising they
receive from these sorts of occurrences, I doubt that will happen
anytime soon.

David Bloomberg is the Editor of Foxes On Idol, and can be reached at
.

http://www.foxesonidol.com/cgi-bin/a...364.art&page=1

PETA Delays Clay Ad, Wants to Use Him for More Publicity
by David Bloomberg -- 11/19/2003


People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) apparently doesn't
extend that ethical treatment to humans. They have delayed official
publication of the ad saying Clay was "neutered," but want to force
him to give them additional publicity or they'll run it anyway. Read
on for details.

Clay Aiken fans have apparently succeeded where so many others have
failed – they managed to put a dent in the dogma machine that is
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

As readers no doubt recall, PETA recently announced a new ad campaign
targeting Clay Aiken and calling him "neutered." Although they had not
formally started the campaign, the announcements and their website had
the ad already available, so it basically served as free advertising
for them.

Perhaps that advertising was enough, or maybe they started to get
worried about the legality of calling somebody "neutered." Or maybe
all of the calls and e-mails from Clay's fans, as well as people
announcing that they would not give further money to PETA, had some
impact after all. PETA has announced that they are delaying the
campaign… for now.

PETA claims they are delaying the ad to see if Clay will apologize for
making his negative comments about cats. In fact, the vice president
of the group said, "If Clay Aiken intends on staying famous, he has to
learn to take a joke." A joke? Well, yes, PETA could be construed as a
joke when they act like this. In fact, to many the group has become
one sick joke after another.

The problem is that PETA took what Clay said about cats out of context
– he was talking about how he had accidentally run over his kitten (as
explained by his mother in our previous article on this issue). PETA
took it as some attack on animals, which is ridiculous.

But PETA doesn't just want Clay to apologize for them taking his words
out of context – they want him to post a message on his website urging
people to spay or neuter their pets and give an interview for PETA's
website.

To be completely honest, I hope Clay deviates from his usual character
and tells PETA to go f*** themselves. That may sound harsh, I know,
but the group is essentially trying to blackmail him: "Do this and
that or we'll run this ad." First they insult him, then they
oh-so-graciously say they will delay the ad, and they won't run it if
he gives them even more publicity – but they will run it if he
doesn't. Mind you, this is the same group that compared Holocaust
victims to animals.

PETA did admit that Clay's attorney contacted them, so maybe that had
something to do with it. I say this because PETA certainly never
backed down in their Holocaust advertising, even though they offended
far more people with that one than the Clay ad.

The organization has certainly learned how to get the most bang for
their buck. By previewing the ad on their website and announcing that
they would start running it, the media informed many people about the
ad, thus getting their "message" out without ever having to spend a
dime on advertising. Now when Clay fans, his attorney, and others have
fired back, PETA makes more publicity by saying they are putting a
hold on the ad. Then, if they decide to not run the ad, they can try
to win back Clay fans by saying, "See, we didn't run it." Hopefully,
fans won't be so forgiving. If they decide to run the ad after all, it
can work almost as an after-thought, because so many people have seen
them already. And if they can get Clay to give them an interview, they
will have scored a major publicity coup – another reason I,
personally, hope he tells them to shove off.

I have heard from many people who support animal rights and, in
theory, agree with PETA's mission. However, the dogmatic position PETA
has taken, coupled with the way they will go to any lengths to get
publicity, no matter who they hurt, has turned off many, many people.
The organization needs to take a serious look at how they promote
their message. Unfortunately, because of all the free advertising they
receive from these sorts of occurrences, I doubt that will happen
anytime soon.

David Bloomberg is the Editor of Foxes On Idol, and can be reached at
.