Horses were born to run but what about those who don't run well enough and are euthanized for dogfood because they weren't fast enough even when whipped? Horses were meant to trot, but have you seen them blanketed from head to tail with only their eyes exposed, kept in a very dark stall so their coats don't fade and their tails in an artificial brace - broken and 'set' for such a stylish prance? I have australian sheperds and border collies but I don't drive them in extreme weather conditions without proper food while they round up the sheep and cattle in order to claim the glory of a trophy. The fact that they love their work and ME is enough gratification. This is another opportunity to assist in man's upliftment from the reptilian brain obviously running those who beat and abuse their dogs. Who CARES which organiztion is bringing it to the table? It NEEDS to be brought to the table! We need to get MORE organizations involved!

AndI don't understand the need of so many of you to hypothesize and theorize about meat eaters vs. non meat eaters, defending a personal position, etc. ABUSE IS ABUSE. A so-called civilized world does not abuse its animals, its children, its elders, its spouses. It does not create wars based on lies to kill innocents for the resources of their country. Obviously, this nation is not based on civility, nor on humane actions towards people, let alone animals. We can only weep in the process of watching what is done in our names on all counts. Then after weeping, we must pray in action, and take to account those responsible for the abuse...meanwhile, continuing to rescue the abandoned, healing and helping the injured and giving monetary donations, our time and our written efforts to effect change. If only one is uplifted into a greater thought or action now, there will be others that will follow. In the meantime, eat what you must eat in order to have the strength to do the good works your own conscience dictates for the benefit of the many. Hopefully, at some point, we will not have these conversations because they won't be necessary.

Shane,

On a geological scale, *everything* about man occurred but yesterday; I don't think a geological time frame is the right way to assess the impact of cultural institutions.

To the vegetarian, or at least your, mindset, meat-eaters are "soul-less" and lazy? I don't think neolithic man did anything out of laziness, or had time for laziness. If there was a more potent source of calories that took fewer calories to catch/harvest, that choice made the most sense. You're willing to denounce all pastoral or herding cultures as "lazy" because they used flocks of animals as convenient food sources, which in their circumstances allowed them to live a healthier/longer/better/whatever lifestyle? That's our history and explains where we got to today. Are you lazy for using that sharp metal axe you have and not some more primitive tool, or for driving that old truck rather than relying on good old horsepower or footpower all the time? Makes life a little easier, doesn't it? As commendable as your efforts to live sustainably are, you also are still "lazy", by your calculus, because apparently doing anything that makes life easier is tantamount to laziness.

I maintain that meat-eating is a deeply ingrained part of western (and most) cultures; that it is deeply ingrained in most adult individuals in these cultures; and that since eating is a vital life activity, negative aspects of certain ways of pursuing this activity do not place it on the same moral plane as completely optional activities with negative aspects (such as winning races). Calling meat-eaters "soul-less" or lazy just doesn't get the arguments of people like you anywhere, regardless of the valid points those arguments do have.

sitka--just because you haven't witnessed mistreatment of these dogs doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Didn't you read the article? There are documented cases of abuse, as well as long-term adverse effects due to the length and intensity of the race. Sure, dogs love to run, as do horses, but not at the crack of the whip.

I have run ultramarathons at the same time as the Iditarod. I have seen the dog teams,met the mushers and shared the trail. The dogs are not mistreated. The interaction between dogs and the musher have to be one of respect or the dogs quit and won't go forward. The dogs in your home town are treated worse. I was attacked by a Rotweiler last winter and mauled on the wrist a mile from my home. Before you pass judgement come experience 30 below and the empty streches of the Yukon with the northern lights blazing overhead. The dogs thrive at 10 below and it was always thrilling to have the teams quietly come up from behind me. I would step off the trail watch those 16 dogs with their bright eyes, tails up, ready for business, they were in their element. Come north and see for yourself.

Interesting perspective yohocoma. I completely agree that it's time to question many aspects of our way of life. I keep hearing
people defend all kinds of things by calling them "traditional". I believe that many traditions are brutal or barbaric
or morally questionable or simply no longer feasible because there are too many of us now. I think this planet can sustain human
life only if we stop multiplying like crazy! Especially because we're at the top of the food chain and seem to have insatiable
appetites for non-renewable resources. And you're absolutely right - meat eating has become standard human behaviour, although
it's interesting to note that we can stop doing it at will, unlike, say a cat.

One can debate the meaning of "recently" when talking about humans' use of game as a food source, and how efficiently we're "designed" to digest meat. I believe evidence shows that genus Homo has been including meat in their diet on the order of hundreds of thousands of years. If that's too recent for some people to consider it standard human behavior now, I strongly disagree with them.

Domestication is much more recent, and factory farming is a very recent creation. I view modern meat farming as another "efficiency" of the industrial age which we short-sightedly use to maintain our comfort level during the fact of a burgeoning human population. If we want to really get to the base root of most of our problems, though, and walk the walk with our morals untarnished, hopefully none of us are breeding any more human children out there - right? Because if you and your family aren't living a neolithic existence completely off the grid - and since you're using that computer I gather you aren't - you're part of the modern consumer society that is wasting the world and the life in it in countless direct and indirect ways, and furthering it by breeding more of us. There are larger contexts you might consider before you go pointing fingers.

I completely get the point of those who draw parallels between the suffering of food animals and the suffering of sport animals, like the Iditarod dogs. It would be good for all of us to eat less meat or no meat, given the facts of our world, and organizations like PETA give us good prodding. I also maintain that meat-eating is primarily a habitual, positive sustenance activity which is on a different plane than completely optional activities like abusing dogs or horses merely to win a race - still, it must be remembered that though these races are anachronistic now, they descend from cultural activities which at one time *were* vital to humans' survival.

Maybe it's time to put many, many aspects of our cherished way of life, even the ones we consider the most fundamental, into question.

before anyone decides to support peta please do a search on them to see everything they are about. if you picked up on some of the radical tones in the comments on here then you can get an idea of what i am referring to. and no i don't consider vegans radical, but some of these comments have it oozing from each word.

they are an organization involved in some very f'd up campaigns. some of which are 180 degrees from ethical.

MollyJ, thank you for your respectful letter.

The difference between vegetarians and non-vegetarians is that we "pause and think about animal cruelty" constantly, and not just between meals.

This is the fundamental problem of mankind; man is disengenuous and a vicious predator. I am surrounded by religious zealots, eco-freaks and others in the so-called moral majority who are moral only when it suits them. They talk the talk.

Pausing and thinking about animal cruelty (or racism, or war, or whatever) does nothing positive. Only action (or in-action as the case may be) has any effect. Everything else is just a lie.

Alas, I am a meat eater. I think that this article by PETA's Jennifer O'Connor is a well documented and thougtful essay and even before the discussion's aside on the moral superiority of vegetarians, I thought that the implication of her article and the interests of her organization were implicit.

The article stands on its' own merits and I would caution commentators from distracting from its' message too strongly. What I am trying to say (probably poorly) is don't make vegetarianism a litmus test for understanding the importance of this issue. This article should make many of us pause and think about animal cruelty, corporate support for sport over humanity, what our relationship should be to the animals in our world including but not limited to those we might regard as food supply.

A powerful article.

To "yohocoma"--I am not trying to assert any "moral superiority" by stating I'm a vegan. I merely want to show that I'm consistent in my concern for animals. I think it's wrong to use any animals for food, clothing or sport.
I grew up eating meat though, and I understand that it is ingrained in our society, as are many other bad things. I can say however, that it is really not difficult to quit eating meat, once you see clearly what it is all about.

Ok, sorry, that's last years. My apologies.

http://getactive.peta.org/campaign/iditarod_chevr

For more info and the above-mentioned letter writing campaign:
http://www.peta.org/feat/iditarod/wycd.asp

I agree; there is a link between vegetarianism and the humane treatment of all animals. It's like we do a disconnect in order to
justify consuming what we like or what we were raised on. We have to start thinking differently about what we eat and the way we
treat animals in general.
PETA.org has a letter writing campaign on their website asking the corporate sponsors to withdraw their support from the Iditarod
and instead support a more humane competition. Check it out; it's a quick and easy way to voice your opinion on this issue.

I think it is truly funny to see people argue that "the thread went off topic" by linking vegetarianism to the issue of animal cruelty. For crying out loud, if you can't see the link, don't call others "lettuce brain"! And for the life of me I can't see why meat-eaters rush to the defense of some animals but not others - this is not a question of moral superiority - I merely ask them: Why do you feel for the dogs and the cats but not for the pigs and the cows? And please don't answer that dogs and cats are "for" petting and pigs and cows are "for" eating. This question is not coming from an assumption of moral superiority - I am honestly asking a question that you guys seem to be unable to answer in any rational way. Give me one good reason why it makes sense to condemn a dog-beater and not the meat-eater. I am waiting. "You gotta eat" is too stupid - let me have a rational answer.

JP Quote- "somehting they were "born to do." "

Agreed that getting beat and not given enough rest is not what these dogs were born to do. on the other hand, they are a working breed and mushing is what they were born to do. there are certain breeds of dogs that MUST have something to focus on and also requires a physical workout. they truly enjoy it.

Perhaps the race could be redesigned and made more like the Tour de France. Rather than one long push to the finish, the race would be run in legs / trials where rest and recuperation can take place.

-mc

Physiologically, homo sapiens is not designed to efficiently digest meat. Our alimentary canal is too long and gut juices too weak. Historically, man is a scavenger who only recently turned to killing animals for food.

Just because we can consume meat does not mean we have to. I can easily kill people, but I choose not to. So yeah, I will retain my moral superiority and loudly proclaim meat eaters suck.

yohocoma, I get the sense that my morals have been questioned. So here is an answer. As a geologist, man's laziness that lead to meat consumption occurred but yesterday - even our teeth have evolved little. I do live off the grid, grow most of our own food, barter my talents (science teaching) for other items, and a sharp axe for thinning trees. No kids, no cell phone, no cup holders in an old truck. Even my spouse, dogs and other animals are recycled/rescues. It is hardly a neolithic existence; I use the word sustainable. I am rich with life and healthy. As for the computer? The town library is wonderful. So having said all that BS, I can point the bone with no feelings of guilt.

I've been calling for a ban on this cruel race for years. However, I don't believe that the issues of animal cruelty at the Iditarod
and the issues of animal cruelty in factory farming are unrelated. Again, I think it's really time that we humans recognize that our
arrogance towards all other species is misplaced. It's an attitude problem; we justify everything because we like to do it, either to
profit monetarily or physically. By the way, there is still room for argument when it comes to us being omnivores. We like to say we
are because it allows us to eat anything. But our digestive tracts are vegetarian; we have only developed the enzymes to digest meat by
eating meat. This did allow us to get bigger and stronger and the extra protein gave us the leisure time to develop in different ways.
Unfortunately, now that there are a gazillion of us, we need to rethink our consumption habits and make like the countries that can't
afford to eat meat all the time. And we need to call for an end to animal cruelty wherever we find it, be it in the cramped stalls of
factory farms or on the frozen tundra where men beat their dogs to death every year during the Iditarod.

Hmmmmmm, "lettuce brain." Right. Yeah, like I say, a reasoned dialog seems in order. Is this the best you can do?
Yes, the thread went off topic, and I didn't raise this issue, but it clearly raises hackles. Those are the issues that most need to be addressed.

Clearly it doesn't do a lot of good to try to persuade people to give up meat by pointing out the contradictions in societal attitudes toward animals, which seem like hypocrisy to many of us. Some people are so horrified and disgusted at the treatment of animals in factory farms as well as other forms of institutionalized torture of animals that their anger takes the form of "moral superiority." It's really important to have a conversation about these contradictions because we are really talking about the moral status of animals.

It is usually vegetarians and vegans who take the bulk of criticism from meat eaters. Here in this country there are tremendous cultural pressures to eat meat, and those of us who do not are always challenged to explain ourselves, or subject to ridicule. So let's put the rancor in perspective and try to have a reasoned dialog about an issue that raises a lot of emotion on both sides.

As to whether or not we humans are naturally "ominivorous" or carnivorous, I can only point out that there are many people in this world who do not eat meat or animlal "products" and they are very healthy, live longer, have fewer health problems.

Save the vegetarian moral superiority. Eating is necessary; eating meat is natural for omnivores, who can still be mindful of factory food animals' deplorable conditions and take steps to lessen personal impact on this process; despite this, eating meat is deeply ingrained for humans and not easily overcome.

But harming animals for profit/pleasure/ego is completely unnecessary, except for the most tortured souls.

It makes me sick when the corporate media covers the Iditarod. They go on as if it's great sport and the handlers love their dogs so much, alot like the horse racing industry. As others have noted, whenever there's a profit to be made, it's an invitation for abuse. There were witnesses to this guy, just think how many other instances there probably were, out in the wilderness of that race. And yes, I am a vegan.

Many native people who eat meat venerate animals and thank them for giving up their lives for peoples survival. We are omnivores with teeth and digestive systems adapted for eating meat and veggies.

Some of us are vegetarians because we believe killing is wrong, that animals too have rights, because meat production is toxic and vegetarianism is healthier and so on.

Regardless of what we choose to ingest, we have to tolerate each other. One thing is to not tolerate eating meat and another is to not tolerate animal cruelty.

I am veg and I do think a meat eater can have the moral authority to complain about maltreatment. Obviously they are missing the bigger picture but would you prefer that someone be a meat eater and not give a damn about what happens to dogs or any others? At least they are showing a reaction. Its the ones who dont react at all that you need to worry about more.

BTW here in Canada things arent much better. We are the country that likes to bash the skulls of infant seals.

The Iditarod organization has a long history of corruption. Jerry Riley the 1976 champion was banned for life in 1990 for hitting a dog with a steel snowhook. He was allowed to compete again in 2001 and again banned because of mistreatment.

Give me 5 mins with a dog abuser. I'd let them know just how much it hurts.

Amen, Ron. Meat-eaters suck. I don't think it is because they are stupid (I'm giving them benefit of the doubt), but because they are unaware and soul-less.

I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being. ~Abraham Lincoln.

I care not much for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it. ~Abraham Lincoln.

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. ~Mohandas Gandhi.

Says a lot for the USA, eh?

Luna:
Are you a vegetarian? If not, you have no moral authority to complain about the maltreatment of animals. Meat-eaters don't give a tiddly damn about cows, pigs, chickens, fish and other sentient beings who are slaughtered by the billions every year - those animal eaters who care about dogs, cats, turtles and dolphins have minds that don't go very deep. To cut the throat of a cow so that obese people can waddle into a McDonald's to get heart disease is the height of barbarity, not to mention sheer stupidity. What this Ramy Brooks guy did was reprehensible but those who support the meat industry (which causes poor people to starve to death because the food that could have fed them is is fed to livestock, thereby wasting 90% of such food) have no standing to call for his punishment.

This has been going on for years but, like most forms of institutionalized animal exploitation, especially "contests" that involve humans making money from these animals, the facts are hidden from the public. And those few voices that cry out against this abuse are drowned out by those who insist this is great fun for the dogs, or somehting they were "born to do." Bullshit.

Is'nt Alaska a part of the USA?????
then they need to FOLLOW THE LAWS.
I feel bad for these dogs..... WTF!
this guy, Ramy Brooks needs to go. he should'nt even be allowed to own ANY animals.
but you know what they say
"what comes around, goes around"
sucks to be him. OR anyone who condones this kind of behavior.

ahh the hypocrisy, only in america can people actually argue the benefits of eating this or that diet, many feel blessed enough to just put food on the table. Furthermore, this article has many flaws it doesnt take long to search for results on ramy brooks and the iditarod to find more balanced reporting, not that that is actually what many of you are looking for. To say these dogs werent born to do this and that all of them are treated poorly is reactionary drivel, considering many of you have never met a musher and their kennel you truly have no frame of reference on this do you now? also considering many of you have never been up here and dont know the historical significance of the iditarod to the state and people, or the excitement (yes i know many vegans who enoy the iditarod as well) that the race brings to an otherwise long winter, not that anthropology appears to be any of your strong suits. its nice that someone can preach right and wrong from their arm chair on the east coast but the facts just dont add up to this crap passed off as journalism. which is a shame because you missed out on a great story throughout this years race including lance mackey and his dogs victory this year. Finally lets all stop pretending that PETA is a great organization, i personally lost faith when they started supporting burger king early this century because they began selling veggie burgers along with the massive amounts of burgers and chickens they slaughtered to make 99.9% of there sales so lets just call hypocrits what they are shall we?