Joan Jett has been booted off South Dakota’s float for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade after ranchers complained that the rock ‘n’ roller is a vegetarian, and supports People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
“I’ve decided to switch from South Dakota to another float because people’s political agendas were getting in the way of what should be a purely entertainment driven event,” Jett said in a statement released Friday. “I will remain focused on entertaining the millions of people watching, who will be celebrating a great American tradition.”
South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association President Cory Eich told Associated Press on Friday that it was a mistake to select Jett.
“Coming from such a rural state where livestock is such a part of our life, we didn’t think it was appropriate,” Eich told AP.
Meanwhile Iggy Pop who has endorsed the “Keep Michigan Wolves Protected” campaign to stop the trophy hunting of wolves and restore the right of Michigan voters to have a say over wildlife policy, according to The Humane Society of the United States. Michigan’s first wolf hunt in decades began yesterday.
In a letter to Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, dated Nov. 12, 2013, Pop write: “As a Michigan native and someone who has cared about animals, both wild and domestic, for as long as I can remember, I was dismayed…that a bill you signed last May (S.B. 288/P.A. 21) gave Michigan’s Natural Resources Commission the authority to decide which animals can be hunted…which resulted in the first authorized wolf hunt since wolves underwent state protection in 1965.”
“To further compound the issue Mlive.com just unveiled several investigative reports that reveal the state used ‘half-truths’ and ‘falsehoods’ to support authorizing a hunting season on wolves in Michigan. The reports make clear that the decision to approve wolf hunting was based on fraudulent information and not sound science,” the letter continued.
“I am asking all of my fans in Michigan to sign up and help gather signatures to reverse this decision and protect the wolf from future hunts. The senseless killing of these majestic animals for sport is a disappointment to the people of Michigan and a stain on its Government.”
Iggy called on Gov. Snyder to “do the right thing by staying the hunt and allowing the people’s voice to be heard” on the issue.
And then there’s Jack White. The White Stripes frontman thinks he’s doing poor folks a favor by launching “The Great Third Man Turkey Drive” this month.
Rather than promote the murder of turkey’s and the feeding of dead flesh to poor people, White could offer delicious plant-based whole food meals that are healthy, life-affirming and don’t contribute to climate change, as the raising of animals for foods does.