I’m gonna get my personal bias out of the way right up front: I really don’t like PETA. I think their tactics are reprehensible, and I disagree with their principles in a number of areas, including the seal hunt. If the organization shut up shop tomorrow, I don’t think it would be missed — certainly not by me.

That being said, I’m left with two theories about Liberal Member of Parliament Gerry Byrne‘s suggestion that their pie-in-the-face to Fisheries Minister Gail Shea be considered a terrorist act. The first theory is that he’s a secret PETA double-agent and felt the pie-ing didn’t get nearly enough attention. The other is that he’s just not that smart.

For those who missed it, here’s the back story. Fisheries Minister Gail Shea was starting a speech, and this happened:

Emily McCoy, described on the PETA site as a New York City activist, has been charged with assault with a weapon in the incident.

But Gerry Byrne didn’t think that was enough, and told radio station VOCM that PETA should be investigated as a terrorist organization, and that the pie-ing should be considered terrorism. (I can’t find the audio, unfortunately). Of course, PETA president Ingrid Newkirk took that t-ball and plowed it into the left-field stands, responding:

“Mr. Byrne’s reaction is a silly, chest-beating exercise that is unlikely to impress anyone who has a heart for animals or who is bright enough to spot the difference between a bomb and a tofu cream pie.”

First off, I think the assualt with a weapon charge is totally appropriate. It’s not a joke. It’s not harmless. And frankly, I’m amazed that the woman was allowed in to a media-only event and made her way to the front row carrying with her a tofu pie, which she then used. I’m especially amazed given that she’s already been charged with trespass after an October incident at another Shea event in Charlottetown (at least according to CBC).

So shame on PETA. Shame on the security folks for not keeping her out of the event in the first place. And shame on Gerry Byrne for mouthing off and giving PETA an extra day of attention on the story — one that they could hardly have dreamed of getting. He shoulda known better.

One Response to “Gerry Byrne does PETA’s work for it”