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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
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Shawn
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PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/nassau/ny-lipeta1712546807mar17,0,2846851.story
BY CHAU LAM AND JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER | [email protected] [email protected]
10:07 PM EDT, March 16, 2009
peta, circus
An older student, (Left) tries to stop a younger student from taking a coloring book from Ellie the elephant who was outside of Fulton Elementary School in Hempstead. (Photo by Ed Betz / March 11, 2009)
Circuses and animal rights groups have long clashed, but now a local battle has emerged for the hearts and minds of children.
Last week, protesters from PETA showed up at a Hempstead elementary school, unannounced and uninvited, to try to convince youngsters leaving at day's end that circuses mistreat their animals. The protesters handed out coloring books with stickers that read, "Circuses are no fun for animals."
Fulton Elementary School officials were not pleased. They and a Hofstra University psychologist said PETA should not have approached the students in that way.
"I just think targeting children this age is inappropriate, in my opinion," said Rodney Gilmore, Hempstead district assistant interim superintendent for elementary education.
Critics have said that PETA should not have protested the circus by approaching local schoolchildren. What do you think?
If it saves even one circus animal, yes, it's worth it. No, the ends don't justify the means in this case. No, PETA's protest is wrong-headed, and the circus is just innocent fun.
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, which will be at Nassau Coliseum Wednesday through Sunday, is doing a little promoting of its own.
PETA wasn't protesting the circus at the Coliseum, they were targeting kids, which I think is wrong.... don't involve innocent kids in your politics. 
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Posted 3/17/09 8:14 AM  |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
I am not surprised, PETA is a disgusting organization
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| Posted 3/17/09 8:17 AM |
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browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
Member since 6/06 6513 total posts
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browneyes
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
although i don't always agree with PETA, i think circuses should be abolished. it is a fact that circuses mistreat their animals and something needs to be done. the public needs to be aware, but targeting children isn't right.
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| Posted 3/17/09 8:36 AM |
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pinkandblue
Our family is complete, maybe
Member since 9/05 32436 total posts
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Stephanie
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
Posted by browneyedgirl
although i don't always agree with PETA, i think circuses should be abolished. it is a fact that circuses mistreat their animals and something needs to be done. the public needs to be aware, but targeting children isn't right.
I agree completely....I am having a moral dilema being that I want to take dd to the circus cause I know she would love it but I just don't think I can knowing how they abuse those animals 
Message edited 3/17/2009 8:49:59 AM.
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| Posted 3/17/09 8:38 AM |
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
While they are extreme, I agree that kids should know that circuses mistreat animals. I can't imagine a sadder existence than what those animals go through. Cailen will never go with me. The dilemma I will face If its ever a school trip. Even the zoo I grapple with, but reputable zoos work very hard on recreating these animals' habitats. There is nothing natural about what circus animals go through. I have no problem with educating children on that. Why perpetuate a lie? Do we lie and say that burgers come from the magic meat fairy?
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| Posted 3/17/09 8:46 AM |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
Posted by lipglossjunky73
While they are extreme, I agree that kids should know that circuses mistreat animals. I can't imagine a sadder existence than what those animals go through. Cailen will never go with me. The dilemma I will face If its ever a school trip. Even the zoo I grapple with, but reputable zoos work very hard on recreating these animals' habitats. There is nothing natural about what circus animals go through. I have no problem with educating children on that. Why perpetuate a lie? Do we lie and say that burgers come from the magic meat fairy?
I think it would be great for children to be educated about the circus in a safe environment such as the classroom or at home. But to have a stranger hand him a coloring book, and they have no idea what it is about until they open it - I feel that is too traumatic. PETA always goes one step too far.
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| Posted 3/17/09 8:49 AM |
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
Yes tilde I agree! I am not a fan of any type of extremism. In grad school I chose to write a thesis instead of taking comps. My thesis was on incorporating humane education into the curriculum and talked about an entire unit with good resources on circuses that weren't trauma inducing!!!!
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| Posted 3/17/09 9:00 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
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Shawn
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
Posted by lipglossjunky73
While they are extreme, I agree that kids should know that circuses mistreat animals. I can't imagine a sadder existence than what those animals go through. Cailen will never go with me. The dilemma I will face If its ever a school trip. Even the zoo I grapple with, but reputable zoos work very hard on recreating these animals' habitats. There is nothing natural about what circus animals go through. I have no problem with educating children on that. Why perpetuate a lie? Do we lie and say that burgers come from the magic meat fairy?
They ambushed the school, parents weren't notified, school officials weren't notified. Their methods were unethical, IMO. I'm not against teaching kids the truth, but there are much better ways of doing it.
BTW, DC know that bacon comes from pigs, and beef comes from cows. It comes up in conversation at the dinner table every so often.
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| Posted 3/17/09 9:07 AM |
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Kara
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Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
Put me in the anti-circus AND anti-PETA group. I have done tremendous amounts of research (factual and legal) on PETA for work and quite frankly and absolutely disgusted by what I learned.
If you want your children to learn about the humane treatment of animals, that's wonderful, but PETA does not get to decide if, when, and how children learn those things. Parents and teachers do.
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| Posted 3/17/09 9:08 AM |
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
Kara- ita!!!
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| Posted 3/17/09 9:23 AM |
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
I'm on my BlackBerry so I can't quote, but Shawn, I agree they were wrong in how they did it. They don't realize how much they turn people off, even vegans like me!!! Btw when I was little, I was merrily chomping on a lamb chop which I LOVED! There was adorable, chubby little Liza dipping her chop into mint jelly, and proclaiming her love for lamb. "Mmmm, mommy! I love lamb!!!" mom said yes, I know, etc. Chomp chomp chomp. I thought about the word lamb, and the cute little white fuzzy lamb popped into my head. "hey, mommy! I also love lambs. Like, the animal.... Why would they call this the same thing?" and that day, cute, ignorant, fat little 4 year old Liza was schooled big time. ".... And chicken? And turkey? And.... Is hamburger ok?" there was no animal called hamburger. That had to be ok. It wasn't. Sigh......
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| Posted 3/17/09 9:32 AM |
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
Posted by browneyedgirl
although i don't always agree with PETA, i think circuses should be abolished. it is a fact that circuses mistreat their animals and something needs to be done. the public needs to be aware, but targeting children isn't right.
Agreed. They are disgusting and ALL of them abuse and mistreat their animals. I have watched countless shows re: this and hidden video showing how even the very well known organizations mistreat them. I will NEVER set foot in a circus again.
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| Posted 3/17/09 9:42 AM |
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LIMOMx2
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Member since 5/05 24989 total posts
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
I think PETA is totally wrong!! I would be furious if I was a parent of a child there.
I am for certain circuses. I think some of them actually treat them very well. It depends on which one you go to.
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| Posted 3/17/09 10:38 AM |
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lucyloo
nope
Member since 1/06 9758 total posts
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
Ugh that's terrible... I'd be so ticked if they aproached my kid. Leave the kids out of it!
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| Posted 3/17/09 10:41 AM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
I understand their passion about their work & get that educating children about practices is vital to their growth.
If PETA wanted to educate children, the best way is to ask the principal if they can do an educational course in the school about animal cruelty with pre-approved material.
I would ring the neck of a stranger that approaches & hands my kid something without asking ME first. My skin still crawls when I think of the creepy shoe store owner that gave my 4 year old (at the time) son a coloring book & told him he was his special friend.
Stride Rite in Dix Hills if anyone feels like avoiding that place. (Soooo...I guess I believe in cruelty for strangers )
Message edited 3/17/2009 10:45:17 AM.
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| Posted 3/17/09 10:43 AM |
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CrankyPants
I'm cranky
Member since 7/06 18178 total posts
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Mama Cranky
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
Posted by 5ofClubs
I think PETA is totally wrong!! I would be furious if I was a parent of a child there.
I am for certain circuses. I think some of them actually treat them very well. It depends on which one you go to.
Which ones treat their animals well? I've not done enough research on this. I would love to take DD to a circus someday but have a hard time rationalizing it based on what I know. If there is a circus out that that treats the animal well, I would love to know about it.
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| Posted 3/17/09 10:46 AM |
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CrankyPants
I'm cranky
Member since 7/06 18178 total posts
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
Posted by Mikismom
I agree completely....I am having a moral dilemma being that I want to take dd to the circus cause I know she would love it but I just don't think I can knowing how they abuse those animals
I feel the same way-I despise PETA and completely disagree with them coming uninvited to school property and harassing kids.
However, I would love to be able to take DD to the circus someday, I just have a hard time rationalizing it.
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| Posted 3/17/09 10:48 AM |
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CrankyPants
I'm cranky
Member since 7/06 18178 total posts
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Mama Cranky
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
Posted by nrthshgrl
My skin still crawls when I think of the creepy shoe store owner that gave my 4 year old (at the time) son a coloring book & told him he was his special friend.
 That sent shivers up my spine.
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| Posted 3/17/09 10:49 AM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
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me
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
PETA would go so much farther with much better results if they did not do what they do in the 1st place.
They just can't deliver their message. They keep giving themselves a bad reputation that defeat the whole purpose of their cause (which I assume is not to traumatized children in an elementary school). They just don't get it.
If you harrass people you will only have the opposite reaction. People despise you for your actions on how you conduct yourself and not even listen to your message.
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| Posted 3/17/09 11:08 AM |
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freshstuff
I would do me
Member since 5/08 1188 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
Posted by Tilde
Posted by lipglossjunky73
While they are extreme, I agree that kids should know that circuses mistreat animals. I can't imagine a sadder existence than what those animals go through. Cailen will never go with me. The dilemma I will face If its ever a school trip. Even the zoo I grapple with, but reputable zoos work very hard on recreating these animals' habitats. There is nothing natural about what circus animals go through. I have no problem with educating children on that. Why perpetuate a lie? Do we lie and say that burgers come from the magic meat fairy?
I think it would be great for children to be educated about the circus in a safe environment such as the classroom or at home. But to have a stranger hand him a coloring book, and they have no idea what it is about until they open it - I feel that is too traumatic. PETA always goes one step too far.
Totally agree. When we were driving on I-95 once there was a huge billboard for kfc and peta had a picture that read kentucky fried crulety and a cartoon that was bloody and disturbing. While I agree that kfc was doing bad things etc. a small child (he was 4 at the time) shouldn't be subjected to seeing that. He cried after he saw that and even had nightmares. There is a way to get your point across but to use small children is crossing the line.
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| Posted 3/17/09 11:09 AM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
GOOD message, but deplorable execution. This is the kind of thing that should be left to the parent and the school, not by the imposition of an advocacy group on innocent children. They are really doing themselves a HUGE disservice in the way they handle their advocacy.
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| Posted 3/17/09 11:18 AM |
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CAH127
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Member since 7/07 1694 total posts
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
Posted by browneyedgirl
although i don't always agree with PETA, i think circuses should be abolished. it is a fact that circuses mistreat their animals and something needs to be done. the public needs to be aware, but targeting children isn't right.
I totally agree. The public is not aware of the treatment of the animals just to put on a show for entertainment. 
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| Posted 3/17/09 11:45 AM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
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remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
People for the Ethical treatment for Animals
AT THE EXPENSE OF
Ethical treatment for people.
they are some of the most disrespectful and disgusting protesters around.
what a sneaky shady underhanded way to go about this...I guess they were afraid the teachers and parents are not as "ethical" as they are to properly teach children about circuses and animal abuses. 
nope, don't like PETA very much at all.
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| Posted 3/17/09 11:52 AM |
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lucyloo
nope
Member since 1/06 9758 total posts
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
Now on a side note, and I really don't know much about the subject do all circuses like Ringling abuse or mistreat their animals?
Why would they abuse their main attraction ? It's not like trained elephants are a dime a dozen. 
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| Posted 3/17/09 12:03 PM |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
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fka LIW Smara
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Re: PETA stages circus protest at Hempstead school
Forcing your views down anyone elses throat is disgusting especially when it involves children. Thats for a parent to decided.
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| Posted 3/17/09 12:26 PM |
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