Eight Belles: PETA Spokeswoman Can't Answer Mike Tirico's Questions

Every time I hear one of the PETA whackos in the media, I have an urge to go out and consume a sirloin burger.
They hurt their own causes by their sheer stupidity.

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This was an ambush for which the PETA spokesmouth was unprepared. While it was a great moment for Tirico -- who might be flexing his journalistic muscle in the presence of Scott Van Pelt, in order to, you know, show him who's the Alpha Male -- it was also a big let-down by an organization that maintains an important responsibility like PETA is supposed to.

In fact, it was the industry advocate (and ESPN's expert) who put Matthew's blurb to comparative shame by voicing concerns not only about the obvious (whipping) but also the more subtle ramifications of decades of selective breeding on the animals.

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Did anyone actually expect PETA to have an intelligent argument in this situation? Look, PETA's causes are often just, but their naive exuberance in promotion of their views does nothing but damage their credibility. What should very well be a respected animal rights organization is nothing more than a punchline to most Americans, and they have no one to blame but themselves for tarnishing their own image.

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Yeah, I listened to this on the radio, and it was blatantly obvious she had no clue whatsoever how to respond, so she just read right off a piece of paper all the varying points she wanted to get across. She was so grossly unprepared, Tirico even gave her the option to just get her to admit that she didn't know if the jockey's actions were different, and she just stubbornly mentioned the bone structure of a horse being ill-prepared for racing at such a young age. It was a total train-wreck. Randy Moss came on later, and he actually did sound like he knew what he was talking about, saying that he'd be fine banning the whip, and banning any masking agents that horses are given before a race.

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It is seldom that I get involved and speak out on these situations. However, PETA has gone to far this time and has really put there foot in their mouth. Before ANY reperesentative of any animal rights group spoke they should have waited until all the facts were in. PETA should publicly apologize to the jockey and retract comments they made!

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These horses are far too young to be pushed so hard. It is a crime that the dollar sign is above the animals care and best interest. What if these people purposely cause injury and allow these wonderful creatures to be put to death by injuries that could have been prevented to thicken ones wallett. It is what it is on the video. Only the owner and the jockey know. I really would hate to think that someone is so shallow as to do such an act. My horses are my kids. They are the dearest thing to my heart. Accidents happen but then again you have to know when to say ENOUGH.

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Bottom line: horses are not people. PETA's absurd anthropomorphism and laughable appeals to emotion should fail to affect logical, mentally-balanced people.

No one should be deliberately cruel to any living thing, but these horses were born to run and trained to perform and make money for their owners. If they didn't race, they wouldn't exist. Simple, inconvenient fact for the "animals are people too" movement.

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Martin David Smith - your answer to this tragedy is in the last paragraph in your own words: "Advocates for animal rights have many valid points about the dangers of horse racing, and I personally believe that the sport needs to make changes, including banning the whip." The jockey did what all jockeys do and under the same conditions all horses race in. This story is no different from that of the filly Ruffian at the Belmont racing against the colt Kelso. She is buried on the race course, a lasting memory, I won't say tribute, to what happens when these horses whose legs are so fragile are pushed beyond reason. That was what the jockey did at the Kentucky Derby, and no, he is no different from any other jockey. To paraphrase Bill Clinton, "It's (Racing and pushing the horses too far) stupid!"

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Don't kid yourself, Grace. If a horse had the chance, it would eat you and everyone you care about.

Kidding! But honestly, I don't take issue with the claims of PETA that the horses are being ridden too young or too hard; I take issue with the fact that they completely threw the jockey under the bus, calling for him to be suspended without giving a credible reason why it would be justified. It is an irresponsible way to get their larger agenda - that horse-racing is a "dirty, greedy money game" - across to the masses. The jockey is just a sacrificial lamb

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As an animal rights supporter, I am embarrassed by PETA and their quixotic adventures in stupidity.

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I see all the dirt ball comments about PETA again. Perhaps she was ill or intimidated or maybe PETA has been blasted again by hate calls. Perhaps she was the wrong spokeperson to put on the air, but I still believe they were right asking for the suspension of Gabriel Saez.
Today the Churchill Downs stewards meet to discuss the KD race. Of course there will be denials and excuses for this jockey will be allowed to continue to ride even though he was responsible for the safety of Eight Belles. He's a dumb 20 year old kid from Panama, who barely speaks English but sure enough, he has a greddy heart.
Why do you people hate PETA so much, do you kick your dog on the way out the door? Your incidious comments make me sick and until we can view the video of the race closer up (which will never happen), do a little research and don't be so quick to judge someone who is being interviewed. You morons are uneducated and can't spell. Why don't you spend your time learning higher education?
The trainer, Larry Jones, is covering up also, what he says means nothing because he is paid to get horses ready to run for their lives.
Mr. Jones, your press conference today has no meaning for the people who cannot watch any more races because of these type of incidents. You got your paycheck and go ahead and show us your next filly/victim.
Unless something is done, this will continue. After Barbaro, I don't watch the TC any more but I did watch this race and it is clear to me, the jockey should have pulled Eight Belles up at the far turn. Do you really believe that, just like that, the bones broke all at the same time? Ridiculous. The jockey knew something was wrong but hey, 400 grand is a big payday.
I hope everyone involved with this great filly, Eight Belles, will realize that changes have to be made. Empty race tracks will hit the wallets. To all horse people who mistreat their horses, we are watching you AND your horses.

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Tirico's interview was not an ambush. PETA should have been prepared for an obvious question, but PETA was not prepared. In this case, PETA's reactionary position, without first examining the facts, is to blame for the poor performance of the PETA spokesperson.

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If the PETA spokesperson cannot answer the basic fundamental question upon which their claim is predicated, how in the world is there any validity to their allegations? Trico's question was obviously forthcoming and one any competent member of the organization should have been prepared to answer. It is the central plank of their allegation, and as we know can see, the foundation is rotten.

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The photos posted of the jockey walking past Eight Belles while she was down on the track showed little or no concern.

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The photo of the jockey walking past Eight Belles as she lay on the track showed little or no concern for this animal.
He's a disgrace to horseracing.

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I am totally against cruelty to animals. I am also a fan of horse racing because I think that they are the most graceful, beautiful creatures on this earth. The sport isn't perfect (nothing is) and hopefully Saturday's tragedy will spawn improvements in honor of Eight Belles like Barbaro's tragedy made everyone aware of so many other injustices done to horses. However, to blame Gabriel Saez is absolutely heartless. Just watch him prior to his mount onto Proud Spell in Friday's Kentucky Oaks. When he kissed her, it brought tears to my eyes!

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Hey Jan, check my spelling, Blah, Blah, Blah .... PETA

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Before many of you say here goes another bleeding heart liberal, let me assure I am a strong conservative, former president of my local young republicans and although I do not agree with hunting I am considered by many to be a gun expert, very good marksman with both handgun and rifle. I come from a family of cops on both parents side. The only animals that were hunted or punished by my
law enforcement relatives were the two legged variety.

I agree that Peta should have been better prepared to be questioned by a highly paid, highly trained
broadcast professional such as Mike Tirico who I listen to on a regular basis. She is not a professional, highly trained spokesperson, but most likely started as a caring unpaid volunteer. Sometimes the best causes and ideas are brought to light by the emotions and feelings of regular folks like you and I. Remember over 200 years ago there was this group of people that had an idea to form a new free country. They weren't highly trained professionals, they weren't highly paid, but the cause of freedom to live as a soverign nation was none the less the start of the greatest nation in the world.

In like fashion PETA's ideas are based on what is right and just. They are founded on what St Francis, the greatest of all saints, taught us about treating every one of god's creatures with love and respect.

The concept of non-cruelty, non abusive exploitation of the animal world is what PETA
promotes and the fact that its reps are not always the best speakers, most prepared, best trained should not dull the brightness and truth of their message nor make it any less meaningful.

I have been around horses for a great deal of my life and I can say without equivocation that many horse breeders, trainers, riders, and jockeys are guided too much by the almighty dollar and the expense of the animal.

The horse has the ability to help man in many ways. Some say we could not have settled this country without them. They also were put here to pull and help lift. They were not put here to run as fast as they can, to be whipped and forced to compete beyond reasonable limits and to be bred to produce high purse money on thin, brittle legs and joints that result from selective breeding.

LIke Mike says there needs to be changes in thourobred breeding, training and racing or it should be abolished.

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Before many of you say here goes another bleeding heart liberal, let me assure I am a strong conservative, former president of my local young republicans and although I do not agree with hunting I am considered by many to be a gun expert, very good marksman with both handgun and rifle. I come from a family of cops on both parents side. The only animals that were hunted or punished by my
law enforcement relatives were the two legged variety.

I agree that Peta should have been better prepared to be questioned by a highly paid, highly trained
broadcast professional such as Mike Tirico who I listen to on a regular basis. She is not a professional, highly trained spokesperson, but most likely started as a caring unpaid volunteer. Sometimes the best causes and ideas are brought to light by the emotions and feelings of regular folks like you and I. Remember over 200 years ago there was this group of people that had an idea to form a new free country. They weren't highly trained professionals, they weren't highly paid, but the cause of freedom to live as a soverign nation was none the less the start of the greatest nation in the world.

In like fashion PETA's ideas are based on what is right and just. They are founded on what St Francis, the greatest of all saints, taught us about treating every one of god's creatures with love and respect.

The concept of non-cruelty, non abusive exploitation of the animal world is what PETA
promotes and the fact that its reps are not always the best speakers, most prepared, best trained should not dull the brightness and truth of their message nor make it any less meaningful.

I have been around horses for a great deal of my life and I can say without equivocation that many horse breeders, trainers, riders, and jockeys are guided too much by the almighty dollar and the expense of the animal.

The horse has the ability to help man in many ways. Some say we could not have settled this country without them. They also were put here to pull and help lift. They were not put here to run as fast as they can, to be whipped and forced to compete beyond reasonable limits and to be bred to produce high purse money on thin, brittle legs and joints that result from selective breeding.

LIke Mike says there needs to be changes in thourobred breeding, training and racing or it should be abolished.

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You can be in shock and react in ways that are completely out of character to you. Perhaps Gabriel was in shock - not unconcerned. How do you know how you would react in front of 100,000 people?

By the way, did anyone call Steve Cauthen a stupid 18 year old?!

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