RICHMOND — In a rare display of non-partisanship during this highly partisan political
season, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals filed a petition today in United
States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia asking both the McCain and
Obama campaigns to cease and desist from “continued animal abuse.”
“Putting lipstick on a pig may be funny to some people,” said PETA spokesperson
Greta van Tingle, “but not to us.” [Editor’s note: The crowds at Senator Obama’s
speech did notably laugh at the “lipstick on a pig” reference.]
“Further, Governor Palin may feel that since she wears lipstick it is perfectly alright for
her to apply it to the lips of her pit bull, but we don’t. Pit bulls, despite their outward
appearance, can be very sensitive. Their psyche can be damaged as well as their lips,
as is the case where they are allergic to any of the substances in the lipstick,” said
Tingle.
“It’s my view that these animals have already suffered enough in being used in the
testing of lip coloration products and they should not have to go through the
embarrassment of being seen in public in it,” said Gloria Finglestine.
“There is only one way to characterize what these campaigns have done: smears,” said
Finglestine, a PETA volunteer who once worked as a lab assistant for testing for
Revlon. “I can’t blame them for that. Have you ever tried to put lipstick on a
Chihuahua or even a Guinea pig? It’s tough. Let me tell you, it’s tough,” said
Finglestine.
Although the court filing asks that a injunction be placed on both campaigns
specifically for “any and all references to putting lipstick on pigs or pit bulls,” according
to the attorney for PETA, Burt McDonald, the obvious intent is to halt the application of
lipstick, lip gloss or other decorative lip appliqués to any animal whether domesticated
or not.
A Durham attorney, who asked that her name not be used, said that although she is not
a PETA supporter, and is not affiliated with the PETA legal team, said she could
understand PETA’s concerns as she had personal experience in the area. Her now-
deceased cat, Spooky Bloomberg-Herring, was diagnosed with a condition that could
have exacerbated by the application of lipstick.
“When we got Spooky from the animal shelter, the holding pen was labeled ‘Male,’
however, when we took Spook to the vet to be castrated, the veterinarian said that
would not be possible — but she could be spayed, since Spooky was a female,” she
said.
The vet also recommended gender identity counseling for Spooky. “I don’t know how
physically traumatic lipstick might have been for her,” she said, “but I can see how it
would have been very damaging psychologically.”
Further legal action, said PETA spokesperson Graeme Schmidt, is being considered on
behalf of two other animal classes, elephants and jackasses, both of which, PETA
maintains, are thoroughly embarrassed by the regular association with the Republican
and Democratic parties respectively.
Both the McCain and Obama campaigns refused comment on the suit until the results
of current polling were in.
******
GlaxoSmithKline merges with Smith Barney
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK — In an unprecedented cross-sector merger,
GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals (NYSE: GSK, 43.17) today executed a purchase of
Smith-Barney Financial Services division from Citigroup Global Capital Markets Inc.
(NYSE: PQU, 9.55). Pending expected regulatory approval, the new mega-corporation
will be named GlaxoSmithKlineBarney.
“There no doubt that the financial services sector is very sick — but I’m not sure this is
the cure,” said one noted industry observer, Carl Calcorn of Investics Information
Services. “Popping a pill or two won’t make this headache go away,” said Calcorn.
History says otherwise, as GlaxoSmithKline appears to be the best situated company
in the world to deal with America’s financial sector woes, according to University of
North Carolina pharmaceutical-sector historian Gilbert A. Hodges.
According to Dr. Hodges, GSK which began as Plough Court pharmacy, the forerunner
of Allen and Hanburys Ltd. in London in 1715, launched the Beecham’s Pills laxative
business in 1842 — giving them over 150 years of experience in purging the systems of
its bloated customers.
As a historical case in point, parallel to the current acquisition, Prof. Hodges said,
everyone agrees, in retrospect, that Beecham’s acquisition of County Perfumery
Company Ltd. in 1939, manufacturers of Brylcreem, a men’s hair application, was a
pretty slick move.
Gary D. Gaddy, who has never worn lipstick or owned a pig or pit bull but is a reformed
vegetarian as well as a charter member of the other PETA — People for Eating Tasty
Animals, played in the USTA North Carolina Senior Mixed Doubles State
Championships last weekend, but doesn’t want to talk about it.
A version of this story was published in the Chapel Hill Herald on Thursday September
18, 2008.
Copyright 2008 Gary D. Gaddy
garygaddy.com 