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  • November 20, 2009

Alligator

College Republicans hold "PETA Barbeque"

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Harrison Diamond, Alligator Staff

Morgan Long, left, serves chicken to Carrington Saddler and Sara Beth Christensen at the “People Eating Tasty Animals” barbecue held by the UF College Republicans on the Plaza of the Americas.

NICOLE LYNN GREINER, Alligator Contributing Writer | Posted: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 11:35 pm | 3 comments

Meat eaters gathered on the Plaza of the Americas Wednesday to sample a slice of political activism for the "PETA Barbeque" held by College Republicans.

The People Eating Tasty Animals Barbeque, served to raise awareness of the extreme stances the animal rights organization, PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, takes.

The cookout provided students with the opportunity to experience the other side of the animal rights issue.

"I think it's the best thing ever," said Nick Galyon, a junior finance major. "I am a big supporter of eating animals. I think PETA is just ridiculous. It's liberal propaganda."

The carnivorous cookout shared its location and time slot with the Hare Krishna lunch. The Hare Krishnas, a religious vegetarian group, distribute lunch every day.

Brian Curry, a member of the Hare Krishnas and UF freshman said eating meat destroys compassion in a person. He said eating meat is a petty and selfish act because it condemns animals to death.

"It's just not necessary to survive," he said. "You can get all the protein you need from eating a vegetarian diet."

Curry said he does not associate with the PETA organization.

The group also encouraged people to bring their pets to the event. Bryan Griffin, the chairman of College Republicans, brought his pet ferret, Athena, and his pet snake, a ball python, Atlas.

Griffin encouraged people to bring their own pet to the barbecue this year because he loves animals, he said.

"There is a balance in the animal cruelty debate." Griffin said. "Loving animals does not exclude you from eating meat."

The food cost about $200 and was provided by David's Real Pit BBQ at a reduced group rate because of the large order. They ordered about 20 pounds of pork and chicken for the barbecue.

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    Posted in Campus on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 11:35 pm Updated: 1:17 am. | Tags: Peta, Barbeque, Frontnews

    Welcome to the discussion.

    3 comments:

    • JohnnyG

      JohnnyG Posts: 1

      Carly: If killing an animal and eating it is respecting it, then yes you are right. Not mutually exclusive. Yet somehow we draw the line with dogs, cats and horses. Why don't we eat them? Why do we go up in arms if someone wants to eat a dog? I think we'd have to come up with a skewed definition of respect to give the love but eat idea any kind of internal logic.

      The Krishnas certainly do NOT have an agressive posture, other than just being there. They are just following their religious duty to serve people their religious food. No in your face condemnation. Leave it to the Republicans to shove their views down your throat.

       

    • CarlyWilson

      CarlyWilson Posts: 3

      Eating meat and respecting animals are not mutually exclusive, and that's clearly indicated in the article. The barbeque was not nonsense, it served as an alternative to the constant extremist propoganda paraded around on the UF campus.

       

    • Steve E

      Steve E Posts: 1

      This is the kind of nonsense I've come to expect from Republicans. As a vegan Libertarian, I'm proud to support freedom and true conservative values while also respecting animals. For everyone else who is ready to defect from the wrong-minded GOP, take a look at www.LP.org.

      For anyone who thinks our current factory farming system is acceptable, please watch EARTHLINGS, or MEET YOUR MEAT (available online at http://www.goveg.com/factoryFarming.asp). Only the GOP would come out in support of such obscene cruelty. I've visited two factory farms myself, and I personally know two former undercover investigators. The videos are not exaggerations.

       

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