I’d rather see real reform, not your…

By Published On: 13 November 2009Last Updated: 17 January 2017

Tony Gonzalez and his wife, October, pose nude for a new PETA anti-fur ad. He doesn't think fur is wrong, if you do it right. Say what?!

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Did anyone happen to catch the newest ad in ridiculous from our friends at PETA?  The new naked ad shows Tony and October Gonzalez.  Gonzalez, for those who don’t know, is a tight end for the Atlanta Falcons.  I usually ignore these types of ads (and the associated press with the ads) but this one caught my eye.  Here are some excerpts from the Associated Press article, the bold emphasis are my own:

“It looks good,” Gonzalez said Wednesday, glancing at the photo on a reporter’s cell phone while standing at his locker. “It’s something me and my wife talked about. It’s something we feel very strongly about. That’s a great cause, especially when you educate yourself and find out what is happening out there in the world.”

Okay, not bad.  Then he goes on to talk about the videos that PETA sent to him…

“I’ve never done something like this before. I’m usually not a political person,” said the 10-time Pro Bowler, who holds the NFL record for most receptions by a tight end. “The pictures I saw were pretty gruesome, pretty cruel. If done the right way, maybe. But done the way I saw it, it’s definitely inhumane.”

Tell me please, what is the right way to slaughter kill an animal for it’s skin?  The article goes on…

“While prepared to take some good-natured gibes from his teammates, Gonzalez is serious about the anti-fur campaign. He became interested in animal right issues about three years ago and went on a vegan diet during the season, giving up meats or even foods that come from animals.

Gonzalez didn’t last long as a vegan. He abandoned it after three or four weeks, saying the diet caused him to “lose a little too much weight.” But he became more conscious of the meats he consumed and wound up writing a book about his methods, “The All-Pro Diet.”

Sigh.  And this little gem:

“I eat a little meat now, but it comes from clean sources: grass-fed cows, free-range chickens, wild fish, stuff like that,” he said. “I’m OK with it as long as you do it humanely.

This demonstrates why campaigns such as the “I’d rather be naked than wear fur” are without merit.  Let’s focus on real issues, with real vegans, that will add up to some real results.  Not on campaigns that use folks who aren’t vegan, “can’t” be vegan, and who talk about the humane slaughter of animals.  Please, and thank you.

via The Associated Press

9 Comments

  1. Rashid December 1, 2009 at 1:32 pm - Reply

    That is total b.s. You make it as though it is an all or nothing issue. As with most things in life, there is a middle area. I myself eat a diet which I call pesca-vegan…I eat no animal products except fish (it is my personal opinion after hundreds of hours of study that this is the diet best fit for humans)…How is he a hypocrite? He is contributing as best he can. Every movement has those who take extreme measures as well as those who help as best they can. Just because someone is not 100% perfect vegan doesnt mean they can’t speak out about animaly cruelty. Like I said I am pesca-vegan, however I often inform my friends and family about the horrors of factory farming and consumption of most animal products..

  2. ecorazzi.com November 16, 2009 at 8:28 pm - Reply

    […] Thanks to YourDailyVegan.com for pointing out that Gonzalez is no longer vegan.] GA_googleFillSlot("Post_468x60"); 1 […]

  3. Rick November 13, 2009 at 7:58 pm - Reply

    Every person should have the right to decide whether to base their diet on plant-based foods, animal-based foods, or a combination of the two.

    I chose to become vegan for a number of reasons. I felt that it would help me lose weight, which it did, and I believed, as I do now, that there is too much cruelty in the world. I have seen many studies that show why it is healthier to be vegan, that it reduces the likelihood of heart disease and cancer. After studying more deeply, I learned that a vegan diet can be just as nutritious as a an omnivorous diet.

    But the thing that made the biggest difference for was discovering how much I like vegan cooking. I first discovered fine vegan cooking in a volunteer-based community cafe in Virginia. The chef (a young women named Rat) was extraordinarily good. Later, I was privileged to move to an intentional community that is largely vegan. There are several excellent vegan chefs here, including a few well-known vegan authors.

    I guess my point is to remember that we are talking about food here. I might know that something is healthy but that will not necessarily get me to eat it. On the other hand, if my taste buds and stomach are satisfied, that says it all!

  4. Vegan Maven November 13, 2009 at 12:27 pm - Reply

    We are seeing more “celebrities” publicly declaring their opposition to animal cruelty and also an increase in the number of people who are openly advocating eating more consciously. However, many of these people seem to do so more to improve their public image rather than because of their ethical principles. It is not difficult to make a stand against the increasingly maligned fur trade because it is now so “out of fashion” to wear fur. What I want to see is more celebrities (and members of the wider population) being principled enough to stand up and raise the issue of the outright cruelty that exists behind the public face of the meat, dairy and egg industries. I look forward to the day… which will come at some point… when the majority of society looks back at the days of factory farming and animal slaughter as being as unethical as wearing fur has now become. In the meantime, it is important to challenge these people who talk about “animal rights” in one moment then practice behaviour that directly supports the continuation of the inhumane treatment of animals. The word that applies here is “Hypocrisy!” Thanks for reporting this.

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HELLO! I'm KD Angle-Traegner.

Writer, activist, and founder of Four Urban Paws Sanctuary. I’m on a mission to help people live a vegan life. Read more about KD…

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