wow, very interesting thread.
i will say this (if I may):
I love animals. I really do. I ran over a turtle once in my van (windoes were rolled down and i heard the crunch of itys shell). I was devastated for days. Between my family and I (I'm from VA but live in Philly now for college), we have many pets (3 dogs, 6 cats, 2 birds, a gueini pig and we've had a couple iguanas, 2 goats, fish, other cats, snakes, a ferret, lizards, etc - we live in a big house with a lot of land, so we have room, lol). I am constantly (when i'm home) checking in on the guinea pig and asking my brother if he takes care of it (he keeps it locked in its cage all the time and isnt good about taking care of it) its not even my pet yet I feel sooo sad for it sometimes (btw the gpig isnt suffering, its healthy and stuff). I truely believe that ALL animals are self-aware, that they have thoughts and feelings, and some even hold beliefs. I really can't stand to see a hurt animal, no matter what its "cuteness" level may or may not be. I've never been hunting, although I would like to for the simple fact that the process of hunting (becoming one with nature - not the shooting/killing) seems like such a spiritual and fulfulling event. But hunting is needed (i just wish people could be perfect shots and get the game donw w/one shot, so as not to let it suffer) Seeing or hearing of animal abuse/violence disturbs me and the only real confort i get is the realization that the animal being abused is now (or will be soon hopefully) dead and free of the pain. And its not even physical pain/abuse of animals that bothers me. Its the mental/emotional abuse as well (but you never really hear PETA argue about that do you?).
all this being said, I do eat meat, I love meat. And, I'm against most groups like/including PETA. Am I a hipocrit? Not in the slightest. I am a realist.
The prospect of countless animals dieing out of nessicity for another creature higher up on the food chain is part of life. A part of Nature. It is meant to be and will forever be. By saying it is wrong for us, as humans (read: animals - a part of Nature) to kill and eat other animals is not only ridicoulous but it also goes against the natural order of Nature. Not only that, but our bodies NEED MEAT. If you are a vegan or vegiterian, do not tell me that you didnt have a hard time becoming so if you say this, you are either a liar or still eat some amount of meat- your body goes into shock w/out the protiens it needs from meat. Yeah, eventualy your body learns to cope, but its never as healthy (and most "v's" intergrate more excerise into their daily life when they "turn" and that it was makes them think they are healthier).
I think that PETA and similar groups mean well - cruelty to animals IS a problem that needs to be handled BUT A) they go about it all wrong what with thier terrorist/cult like behavior and B)they're taking their agenda too far by saying eating meat is wrong. Most people who are for PETA are only so because they see "PETA" and think "oh, look. they're trying to help the little cuddly animals. ghow can you be against them" without even really being studious enough to further investigate and look for the real UNBIASED truth about PETA.
If you're for PETA, I admire you're compassion for animals. Yet sadly, I think you are being misled amd should reevaluate your position and you should look for an alternate animal group that are also realists. Find a group (or start one) that doesnt burn buildings, destroy property, cause the loss of jobs for people, waste everyones time and money and more importantly lobbies for BETTER TREATMENT of animals, not the end of humans need for meat.
oh, and you should see how other animals treat other animals...it can be and usualy is more gruesome than what we normaly do. should we try and burn their dens and nests down or form a picket line around the kill?
Have a good one. 
animal slaughterer
