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Just wanted to take a second to share this picture of the guys from Rise Against with their very own copies of PETA's Vegan College Cookbook! I gave them copies, and while they were all pretty excited, Tim was especially thrilled as you can see. Ha!


Photo by Bree Kristel Clarke

We've got some more Rise Against stuff in the works coming up, and if you're going to any of their shows with Rancid this summer, make sure you check out the peta2 booth! We have some free stuff for you!

And if you have pictures of you with your copy of the cookbook, send them to us!

P.S. Can you find the Vegetarian hoodie in Rise Against's latest webisode?

Hey! How's your week going? Mine has been packed with work, soccer, and cooking yummy vegan food!

I think it'll be more of the same this weekend, too.

So I wanted to let you know real quickly that I did an interview with a cool podcast called Issue Oriented. I talk about peta2 and the Street Team, dealing with family during Thanksgiving, why free-range is sort of a scam, how gross bacon is, some of the ways music has influenced my views on animal rights and other social issues, and a lot more.

So check it out at IssueOriented.com! My segment starts around 31:30 (Chris from Hot Water Music is on before me but he has good stuff to say, too!), and you can either download it or stream the episode.

Thanks in advance for checking it out!

Oh and in unrelated news, I've been eating lots of vegan pancakes recently. Here's an example of the deliciousness ...



Let me know what you think about the interview!

The Dillinger Escape Plan is one of the most talented bands on the planet, and we love working with them. They're an inspiration to amateur musicians while also impressing the heck out of some of the biggest professionals in the world including Metallica and Nine Inch Nails!

When Dillinger's vegan bass player, Liam, came to us with a contest idea, I just could not refuse. I mean, who could say 'no' to a FREE AUTOGRAPHED BASS GUITAR from The Dillinger Escape Plan?! For you, winning could be as easy as Meat's. Not. Green. There will be 10 runners up who get free guitar picks, too!


Liam's photo courtesy of NathanielShannon.com

How do you enter to win? Easy!

1) Upload this Meat's Not Green image to your MySpace or Facebook album (or whatever you use to share photos with your friends).

2) Email StreetTeam@peta2.com with a screen shot of the uploaded Meat's Not Green image along with a link to your page. We will probably check in with you to confirm that this is really up, so make sure it's easy to find! We'll give everyone on the peta2 Street Team 1,000 points just for entering, too!

3) Wait for us to announce the winners! To help pass the time, check out our Meat's Not Green campaign and learn more about helping animals and the environment. For example, did you know that there are more greenhouse gas emissions from the livestock industry than all the planes, trucks, cars, and boats in the world combined? Yea, that's according to the United Nations!

So details for the prize ... One grand prize winner will receive an autographed black G&L L-2000 bass guitar. The bass has a rosewood fingerboard and according to Liam, "this thing is badass." If it could survive even a night on stage with Dillinger (and it has), you know this is a pretty phenomenal prize! And we're also giving away some limited edition Dillinger Escape Plan / peta2 guitar picks to ten runners-up.

The contest ends April 19, and winners will be notified by April 22 (that's Earth Day, by the way). By entering, you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions and our privacy policy.

Good luck!

ballistikcoffeeboy/CC

Hot or cold? Yes or no? In or out? Up or down? Um, if you're anything like me, that song is permanently ingrained in that special place in your brain that files catchy pop songs. Hey, no complaints from me! I love that file.

But while we're on the subject, how about omnivore or herbivore? According to this article, Katy Perry might be thinking "herbivore" for 2009! When asked about a possible New Year's Resolution, Katy apparently told a reporter:

"I try to want to be a vegetarian cause I know it would be more of a healthier option for me," then adding, "But I love chicken. I think I am just gonna try and be a healthier person and ya know think about my family more."

Katy is certainly right—being vegetarian would be a much healthier option, and now it's easier than ever! You can find Boca and Morningstar versions of chicken in just about any grocery store, and restaurants everywhere are serving fabulous faux meat alternatives in the place of animal flesh.

To give Katy some encouragement, we sent her a basket full of tasty vegan goodness (and a copy of Skinny Bitch, of course!) to encourage her compassionate New Years resolution to follow a vegetarian diet. We also sent Katy a list of vegetarian restaurants in every city on her January 2009 tour, so she wont have any trouble finding delicious vegetarian options while on the road. Nice, huh? We're hoping she goes through with her resolution—Not only would Katy be saving at least 100 animals a year by going vegetarian, but she would also be making her carbon footprint by reducing global warming!

Here's to a meat-free 2009, Katy!

How awesome is it that Tim Gunn narrated peta2's new fashion industry exposé?! Who better to tell designers and shoppers what happens to animals before they become coats, sweaters, cuffs, shoes, bags, and the like.

What's even cooler though is that Gunn sent the video to Donna Karan and Giorgio Armani with a personal plea to both designers to stop using fur in their lines. Take that fur pimps!

Says Gunn, "Any designer in the fashion industry who does not want to watch the PETA video and see exactly what happens to animals and how they're treated and how the product that they use comes to the marketplace I believe is egregiously irresponsible. It is critically important that we all be educated about these matters and then make choices. It is egregiously irresponsible not to."

Oh, Tim Gunn, you're so wonderful. He had some other great things to say about Project Runway and fur so check out this fab interview (my favorite part is the very end!).


Other Viewing Options

This photo is... well... quite something!

What caption would you include to go along with it?

For more info on Col. Sanders and the evils he has come to represent, check this out. And watch this undercover footage.

Oh my, there are so many reasons to love Warped Tour! In 2007 I had the opportunity to spend my entire summer on the tour and it was a hoot for sure! I got to meet some amazing people, saw some great bands, and I also got our tent more active with something called The Eco Initiative. You might have heard that name before or have seen the flags on tents, stickers on buses, people wearing the shirts, or even their tent...they are everywhere—just like the peta2 road warriors!


Check out the tent lurking in the background!
We want to help our friends out and we hope you want to do the same! The Warped Eco Initiative has made it to the FINALS for a $10,000 grant from Ideablob and we want to make sure they win!! They do an amazing job making the tour green(er) and with that loot I'm sure they could do even more amazing things! This is what you can do to help:

• Go to the "Warped Eco Initiative: Change is a Sound" Ideablob page
• Click the "Vote!" icon on the right hand side of the page
• If you do not have an Ideablob account, you need to register but it only takes a few worthwhile moments—really!
• Activate your account via an e-mail sent to your registered e-mail account
• Return back to the "Warped Eco Initiative: Change is a Sound" Ideablob page
• CLICK VOTE!!
• Post a comment on this blog and let us know if you helped!

Of course, recycling isn't the only way to help clean things up! Our amazing road warriors have been spreading the word about the Meat's Not Green campaign. Going vegan/vegetarian is an easy way to clean up this planet AND save animals!

Thanks to everyone that's fighting to make a change!

Cody

According to the Deftones' studio blog, Chi Cheng (friend of peta2 who recently designed our "Happy Families, Not Happy Meals" tee) was involved in a car accident Monday night. He is currently in serious but stable condition in a Northern California hospital and there is speculation that he is in a coma. His band mates are there supporting him, and we ask that you keep Chi in your thoughts and comment below with good wishes for his speedy recovery.


-Ashleigh

Oh what a first week we had hanging with some of the greatest people ever—who are all learning (or helping spread the word) that Meat's Not Green! Did you know seventy percent of the leveled rain forest in the Amazon is used to raise animals for meat consumption? That can't be good for anyone!

We joined our friends from hellogoodbye in California to start the BBQ tour. Like pros, these manly men got right to building grills.



We're also making new friends, like Ace Enders and Never Shout Never.

Jason and Sergio (Ace Enders) and Casey (Never Shout Never) all signed our petition this week to inform everyone and spread the word that Meat's Not Green!


And these rad Texans got involved by getting decked out in MNG stickers!


We'd also like to welcome Casandra to the HGB tour. She'll be out talking to you about what we can do to help save the planet AND animals at one time—like try going vegetarian for a week. You'll help save the rain forests and feel healthier, and you might even want to stick with it once the week is over! If you're already vegetarian, try going vegan for a week!


This week in my tummy, we went to Mr. Natural in Austin, TX—a 100% vegetarian Mexican restaurant. I'll let the pictures do the talking.




Peace like a river,

Paige!

Time flies when you're having fun, so you can only imagine how fast the Cobra Starship Sassyback tour is going by.

Looking at this picture you may think, what the hell are the peta2 road warriors thinking? Well, in case you didn't know, all chickens killed for KFCs in Canada are now covered by a historic new animal welfare program. Not only will KFC's suppliers now be phasing in better handling and slaughter systems, but most Canadian KFC's have now added a vegan chicken patty to there menu!! You can only imagine how stoked we were to hit up a KFC before our show in Vancouver, BC.


In other news, Nate, the bassist for Sing It Loud signed our petition in Portland, OR.


And FYI: If you're ever in Seattle, WA, I highly suggest you go to Pizza Pi. It's an all VEGAN pizzeria. We pigged out on calzones, cheesy bread, and Mexican pizza.


And of course, here I am holding the fort down at the table with my sweet shades letting all of Boise, ID, know why Meat's Not Green. Remember: Animals raised for food in the U.S. produce 89,000 lbs of waste a second—that's 130 times the amount that humans produce. Crazy!


On our day off, we hung out in Reno, NV, and stumbled upon an awesome vegetarian restaurant called the Pneumatic Diner. We stuffed ourselves on some vegan nachos.


Tip of the week: Never drink a gallon of water in three hours when you're on a drive that only has gas stations every 100 miles—it's not fun. Well, I'm off to start celebrating my 23rd birthday—I hope to eat a pint of some delicious vegan ice cream!

Check out our tour dates on the peta2 MySpace and come hang out.

Stay Sassy

Susie B

Few women can say they rock as hard as Joan Jett, just ask peta2 staffer Ashleigh who may or may not be dressing as the "original riot grrrl" for Halloween this year. We'll just have to wait and see.

But one thing's for certain, Joan is one of the most outspoken vegans you'll ever meet. And not in a preachy sort of way either, she's too cool to lecture anyone. Instead she chooses to hit you with the facts about the devastating toll that the meat industry has on the environment. Check it out.



Joan gave meat the boot almost 20 years ago after finding out what happens to animals raised and killed for food. Find out what else she had to say when we picked her brain during her PSA photo shoot. Oh, and you'll also find out why she's one of my (and Ashleigh's) heroes.

xox
Patricia 

Hello everybody!

Many of you, I'm sure, have heard a band called Rise Against, and if your ears are functioning well you also love and admire their musical ability and already have tickets to see them on their current tour when it passes close to you. If they alone can't seal your attendance I'm sure Alkaline Trio, Thrice, and The Gaslight Anthem will. This is one of the best tours in years, no doubt—get your tickets here!

So when you get to the show and head inside you'll need to find a booth that looks like the one below and join in with thousands of other people who have already voiced their support by agreeing that Meat's Not Green! Yep, it's the facts: Meat production and raising animals for food is the number one cause of global warming. No it's not cars, or planes, or even SUVs—it's hamburgers, hot dogs, and all the other disgusting things they grind animals into after they've been abused on factory farms. Ick!




Well OK, I'm sure you're bursting with anticipation of watching these amazing bands play for you soon enough, but be sure to take a minute and speak up in defense of the earth we live on—if this planet burns up where will you go to see amazing shows like this in future? Let's save this place. Thanks!

-The peta2 Road Warriors

Your grandma's a sweet lady, but she doesn't quite get your animal rights activism. What should you do?

My grandma continues to buy me animal products (like wool sweaters and leather shoes), even though I've told her I won't wear them. How can I get the message through to her without being mean? I know she means well. - Doesn't Want to Hurt Gram's Feelings

This is a tough one that we all have to deal with. What worked for me was discussing with my mom exactly what I can and cannot wear as a vegan (she had no idea that I couldn't wear silk). She then passed along this information to the rest of my family when they asked her for advice about presents. With her fully educated on the ins and outs of vegan clothing I have many less returns come holidays and my birthday! If you don't think that same strategy will work for you, I would recommend shopping or looking at magazines with your grandmother and pointing out things that you do and don't like. Make sure to emphasize things like "Oh I love those shoes! And they are made of man-made materials, so I can wear them!" or "That sweater is really pretty but I it looks like it has wool in it so I couldn't wear it". She'll get the hint eventually! - Ashleigh

I agree with Ashleigh! This was a reoccurring issue for me over the years because I wasn't assertive enough to address it with family members. It wasn't until very recently that I finally decided to say something at any given opportunity, but without sounding preachy (that's the last thing people want to hear!) When a family member mentions wool, leather, silk, or fur—I always find a way to mention alternatives. More often than not, if your family is anything like mine, you may be bombarded with questions surrounding your reasons for choosing alternatives to those fabrics. See this as an opportunity for education! Most of my family members had absolutely no idea about what's happening behind closed doors in the fur industry—and unfortunately, most people don't think about the fact that they're wearing chemically treated animal skin (seriously, wtf?) when they're wearing leather. To give you an example of how this can quickly take a turn for the better—my mother is now seeking a pleather coat for the winter, and no longer wears any products that are leather. Good luck! - Shan

Some people can be fairly set in their ways—however, that doesn't mean they can't/won't change! Usually it just takes some patience and time. As Ashleigh and Shan mentioned, be sure to talk up all the animal-friendly alternatives to your Gram. Maybe she doesn't even really realize they exist. Explain to your grandma that you really appreciate her presents, but preventing animal suffering means a lot to you, too, and you, under no circumstances, are willing to wear dead animals. Be firm, but nice. C'mon, what grandparent can't appreciate their grandkid standing up for something that's important to them? - Marta

Have a relationship question (that relates to animal rights, of course!) that you're dying for us to answer? E-mail peta2@peta2.com with the subject line "Help me peta2! I need advice!" and your question just may be answered by us in our next advice blog!

Comment with your own advice for Doesn't Want to Hurt Gram's Feelings! And to read past installments of the advice blog, click here.

When fashion designer Donna Karan unveiled her spring 2009 DKNY collection this Sunday at New York's Fashion Week, PETA was there with a protest outside and a bit of a surprise inside.

Some of my friends took over Donna Karan's runway show armed with signs that read, "Donna: Dump Fur," and chanting, "Shame!"  Check out a photo and read some more here.

They were protesting because Karan used rabbit fur in her collection that is in stores now—despite her promise to stop using fur. The two protesters were quickly taken from the catwalk and arrested, but their message was almost impossible to ignore.

Is Donna Karan living in the Ice Age? Geez! Drop the fur, Donna! You're not trying to dress cave people.

-Pulin

The last Friday of September is always Hug A Vegetarian Day. (You're supposed to hug and be hugged by vegans, too). This year it falls on Friday, September 26.

In addition to immediately signing up for this special day, here are five ways for you to get involved in Hug A Vegetarian Day 2008.

1) Wear a Hug A Vegetarian Day shirt! There are a couple designs on here.
2) Put a web banner on your page.
3) Send your friends an e-hug.
4) Print out a sign and practice making your most hug-tastic pose.
5) Start training. Yes, that's right. With Hug A Vegetarian Day just a few weeks away, you need to get your arms properly stretched and toned so they are ready to handle that huge volume of hugs. You must also make sure your hugging technique is fully perfected.

This is for serious, people.

-Pulin

Our friends in Alkaline Trio are touring the world promoting their new album, Agony and Irony. So when they came to town, we were all excited to check out the new songs live, give the band some of our new hoodies and shirts, and drop off a soy cheese pizza!

While we were chatting with Matt, Derek, and Dan (who all signed the Woof campaign petition), we discussed the ways in which people are thankfully so willing to help dogs, but unfortunately rarely consider pigs' emotions and suffering. It's not that people want to see animals suffering, they just need a friendly reminder about being compassionate once in a while, right?

For example, did you know that as piglets, these animals are taken away from their mothers; their tails are cut off, some of their teeth are cut off, and the males have their testicles ripped out of their scrotums, all without any pain relief? They spend their entire lives in overcrowded pens on a tiny slab of filthy concrete. It's horrible, and we all know that clearly this causes them to suffer. So we want to stop this cruelty!

Check out what the Alkaline Trio guys had to say about the campaign:

If you're inspired by what Alkaline Trio supports with being kinder to animals, check out the Woof campaign page to learn more about what you can do to help pigs.

Thanks!

-Pulin

In the world of Warped Tour, EVERYONE is coming together to help stop cruelty to pigs in factory farms.  Phil from All that Remains, and Jason our vegan friend of Evergreen Terrace signed the peta2 petition to end horrible treatment like pigs having their throats slit while FULLY conscious.




Nick and Jake—the Brit boys from TAT—also signed to end tortures to pigs.  Look for them in the fall with our old friends MXPX and Only Crime.




Haven't had the chance to sign yet? Not to worry. You can be hip and with it here. And in case you have a keen fashion sense like our pal Tim of Ludo you can get our exclusive Woof shirt online.


We also had some rad Street Teamers in Chicago come rock it out with us for one of our most successful days on tour! Check out Nikki, Jessica, and Sylvia:


Brutally Yours,

Paige

OK, thanks for clicking the link that lead to this blog. Now take a second to read on and see what other cool things can happen when you interact with peta2.com by clicking links, reading blogs, and doing other fun computer things like that. :)

First things first, you can win two tickets to the Mayhem Festival and get a chance to see Slipknot, Disturbed, Underoath, and Five Finger Death Punch, not to mention plenty of others (check the full lineup here!). Just by hanging out with peta2 online you could find yourself at the Mayhem date of your choice with a friend, for free! How's that sound? Just check out Sarah Sparks and her friend, who recently stopped by the peta2 booth to tell us they had won tickets online and were excited to be at such a great show for free, and we were excited to meet them!


We also just had the chance to meet one of our Cutest Vegetarian Alive winners this year, Kelly Anderson, who entered our contest online and was announced as the winner way back in April—congratulations! The cutest thing about Kelly is her desire to work so hard to help animals on factory farms. Here she is at the Mayhem Festival collecting signatures for our woof petition. Thank you Kelly for working so hard for animals.


You see, just by keeping regular contact with peta2 you can end up attending free concerts or getting the opportunity to help us help animals one day, if you haven't signed up for our e-news yet you should get on that, or else how will you know what awesome things are coming your way? Thanks a lot and we hope to hear from you soon!

-The peta2 Mayhem Crew

Pop quiz: Besides primates, who are the smartest animals?

Oh yea that's right—our friends, the PIGS.

They also dream, recognize their names, play video games more effectively than some primates, and lead social lives of a complexity that were first thought to only exist among primates. I don't know about you but I'd love to get down on some video games with a pig. Yet for some reason they are being tortured in factory farms. Lame.

This week in the land of Warped Tour, our new friend Tim F. of Ludo, signed our petition to help end cruelty to pigs in factory farms.


After some wicked 4 a.m. border crossings into Toronto, we had the amazing Shane of Silverstein, and a rad Street Teamer, Brenden, stop by to help us celebrate our victory with KFCs in Canada.




Remember—a vegan faux-chicken item has been added to the menu of all 461 Priszm-owned KFC restaurants (more than half of all the KFCs in Canada)!


These changes in the lives of defenseless animals are only possible because of YOU, when you sign the petitions, and join the Street Team.

Now let's get some love and respect for our brilliant pig friends!

Brutally Yours

Paige

Our buddy Cody and some of his peeps recently tabled a Goldfinger concert in Arizona. In addition to checking a great show, they talked to tons of people about the Woof campaign. Then, after their  set, our buddies John and Charlie from Goldfinger stopped by the peta2 table to meet some fans, talk about animal rights, and promote the Woof campaign. Don't you wish you were there?

And if you all haven't seen the video for John Feldmann's song, Free Me, check it out.

Here's an awesome cover that some Street Teamers did of the song, too.

Do you have a favorite animal rights song?

-Pulin