In baseball, they call this time of year "The Dog Days of Summer", the period between early July and early September when the weather is hot, players get tired and many of the hopes and dreams of the season are dashed. In Sacramento, we have our own version, only we just call it the state budget process.
So with the latest semester of the State Legislature’s clown college on summer break, let’s take a look at some other issues that fall by the wayside when we’re concerned with, you know, possibly going bankrupt.
No one ever mentions all the radical fringes that have significant sway in Sacramento. I don’t just mean the jackbooted thug state employee unions or even the teacher’s association that claims to represent underpaid educators, but somehow found $1 million of member dues to try and legalize gay marriage.
One story that caught my eye was about PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. I know, we all love animals, and maybe a group like PETA could do some good. But like all of the groups on the far left, they talk a good game, but they’re not what they say they are.
Here’s the story:
With California facing a $26.3 billion budget gap, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed closing 219 state parks, including Pescadero State Beach. Last week, PETA offered to pay to keep the beach in San Mateo County open if the state changed the name and prohibited fishing.
What did PETA have in mind for a new name? You’ll never guess. Sea Kitten State Park.
Now the immediate response is to just laugh this off. But I think there’s something more serious here. Where, exactly, would PETA get the money to buy and maintain an entire state beach? After all, aren’t they just another high-minded non-profit trying to save animals?
Not quite.
Turns out PETA is a big business, takes in millions of dollars every year, and, (surprise!) shakes down companies every year for money.
It’s all laid out in a fantastic Town Hall blog post by Dwayne Horner.
Here’s a sample:
PETA went after MasterCard for sponsoring the Ringling Bros Circus, and launched a "NastyCard" campaign. PETA then entered into a deal with VISA to offer a PETA Platinum card. And, of course, PETA received 1 percent of purchases made with a PETA branded VISA card. That’s big money — all for doing essentially nothing.
In fact, it seems PETA is so busy making money that they forgot to help animals. According to www.PETAkillsanimals.com, PETA found homes for less than one out of every 300 animals, and they killed 95% of the dogs and cats in their care.
Even though California turned down PETA’s invitation to establish Sea Kitten State Park, I have a very strong feeling that the organization will continue to attempt other "selfless" acts on behalf of animals.
After all, there’s a lot of money in it.