The Fur Flies By Jane Chastain, WorldNetDaily.com, Dec. 11, 2003 After last week's column on why I am going back to wearing fur, I received a ton of e–mail. Some could best be described as toxic waste: I was scolded, lectured, preached to and called names. I also heard from many others who are tired of being intimidated by the radical animal–rights movement. They, too, have decided to wear fur again and want to know where to go to enlist in the war against these extremists. First, I would like to address those of you who are pure vegans, who believe that killing any animal or using any product from animals is always wrong. These are sincerely held beliefs of a tiny minority of our citizens (less than a fraction of 1 percent). I can respect that as long as you are consistent, obey the law, don't trash research centers, burn down buildings you see as a threat to habitat, spike trees, intimidate fur wearers or distort information in order to win people to your cause. Unfortunately, many in the animal-rights movement do these things. In fact, Ingrid Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, often acts as a mouthpiece for the terrorist group, Animal Liberation Front, promoting its underground activities and supporting the legal defense of its criminals with PETA money. If ALF and PETA aren't conjoined twins, they are kissing cousins. Consider the words of PETA spokesman Bruce Friedrich delivered on July 3, 2001, at an animal-rights conference in Washington, D.C.: "If these animals do have the same right to be free from pain and suffering at our hands, then, of course we're going to be, as a movement, blowing stuff up and smashing windows." Then, this - don't arrest me - disclaimer: "For the record, I don't do this stuff but I do advocate it. It's a great way to bring about animal liberation." PETA also puts out a lot of misleading or bogus information, which has caused many people, who have no qualms about downing a hamburger, to be squeamish about wearing fur. PETA has released a gruesome film of a facility in Illinois that was producing animal scent for use by animal biologists and others. This edited film showed extreme acts of cruelty to foxes. The Illinois Bureau of Animal Welfare jumped in and levied fines and penalties. The investigation clearly showed that this operation was not part of the fur industry, but PETA continues to exploit the film around the world, misrepresenting its source and using it to smear responsible fur farmers. This incident also undermines PETA's assertion that regulation is "lacking." In fact, fur farms are not only regulated by state governments - just like the farms that raise animals for food and fiber - the Fur Commission operates under strict guidelines established with the guidance of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Nevertheless, I heard from people who believe that these farms kill their animals in the most inhumane ways. Some repeated an urban legend that the tongues of fur animals are cut out and they are left to bleed to death. Now, I ask you, why would even the most hard–hearted person risk losing a finger by doing something like that? You simply cannot trust PETA as an accurate source of information. After all, here is an organization that distorts passages in the Bible to imply that Jesus was a vegetarian, preying on unsuspecting Christians with a limited knowledge of Scripture. Is nothing sacred? God, Himself, made garments of skin to clothe Adam and Eve after they were capable of knowing good from evil. Also, Jesus, on at least two occasions, fed the multitudes that followed Him with bread and fish. If you are curious about fur farms, visit one online at the Fur Commission website. Unfortunately, not even PETA practices what it preaches. Brian Tubbs, writing for Organization Trends, reports "According to Virginia state statistics, PETA euthanized 1,325 of the 2,103 animals it took in during 1999." Far too many people have given up wearing fur because of misinformation or outright fear and intimidation. This has served to empower the radical animal-rights crowd. Can we be surprised that PETA is now shaking down corporations and intimidating schools that have students dissecting frogs and clams in science labs? Where can you go to fight this nonsense? This winter, make a statement by coming out of the closet - with your fur! Also, support legislation promoted by the bipartisan American Legislative Exchange Council that creates stiff penalties for persons encouraging, financing, assisting or engaging in acts of animal and ecological terrorism.

Why This Bunny Will Wear Fur Again

By Jane Chastain, WorldNetDaily columnist and host of the Judicial Watch Report radio show, USA Radio Network

Thanksgiving was particularly cold. As I prepared to go to a dinner party, I reached back into an area of my closet for rarely used items and pulled out a silk zipper bag. There was dust on the top, and I realized that it had not been disturbed since I placed it there the day we moved into our new house eight years ago. I was afraid to look inside.

Much to my delight, the red fox jacket was every bit as beautiful as it was the day it was purchased 20 years earlier.

I hadn't worn fur for a good 10 years. I had allowed myself to be intimidated by a few radical animal-rights extremists. I had kidded myself into thinking that if I just bided my time, these people would tire of their tirades and the whole anti-fur movement would just die out.

This never works. All it does is empower them.

Having successfully intimidated sizeable numbers of fur fanciers, they moved on to other things. They went after meat eaters of all types - from beef, pork, chicken, fowl and fish. Then, they tried to make us feel guilty about using animal products.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals went over the top when it ran an ad aimed at college students suggesting they drink beer instead of milk.

If we don't use cows for hamburger and we don't use their milk, what do we do with all the cows?

Can't you see all those emancipated cows roaming around, wandering in and out of our yards, leaving their droppings on our sidewalks and playgrounds and tying up traffic on our streets? That is utterly ridiculous!

These radical animal-rights activists believe there is no difference between human beings and animals. In their economy, a rat is a pig is a dog is a boy - we are all the same, except they are willing to cut the four-legged variety some slack. You never hear them moaning about all the smaller animals that are torn to shreds and eaten by foxes, but we humans are immoral for killing foxes, even if it is done more humanely.

The fur industry in this country has an excellent record and plays an important role in wildlife management and conservation. No species is endangered or threatened by the legitimate fur trade today. In fact, the overpopulation of animals can cause serious problems for other animals and the environment.

Just as there are strict regulations governing livestock and the care of animals used in medical research, humane care standards have been implemented by the fur industry and many of the animals used in the fur trade are raised on farms.

I tried on my fox jacket. I had selected a style that is timeless and goes with everything from jeans to evening gowns. It is light, warm, practical and, yes, even cost effective. Nothing I have ever owned has given me so many years of faithful service.

Also, fur is a lot friendlier to the environment than its synthetic counterparts. Faux furs require one gallon of petroleum oil for every three jackets manufactured and fake furs do not biodegrade.

I thought about why I stuffed this beautiful garment in the rear of my closet. There is no difference in wearing a fur, eating a hamburger, setting a mouse trap or getting out the Raid to kill ants or flies. After all, the animal-rights movement tells us that these creatures are of equal importance.

Why do some people flinch at wearing a fur and think nothing of downing a steak or killing a cockroach?

I suppose it's because cockroaches are ugly and furry animals are cute even though some of them, if given a chance, would tear your heart out.

The truth is I had stopped wearing fur because I had seen news reports of animal-rights activists throwing red paint on fur wearers and I had hoped for a day that these people were locked away behind bars, which is where they belong.

Yes, the fear of having a beautiful garment ruined had its effect even though the Fur Council, through its retailers, has a standing offer to clean or, if necessary, replace any garment that is damaged in that way.

I made up my mind I would no longer be a prisoner of these animal-rights activists and their radical friends who are out destroying SUVs and research labs.

I went off to the party in my beautiful fur jacket.

Up with fur - down with roaches!

There is a big difference in animal welfare and animal rights. I was making a statement.

Enough is enough!

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