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February 23, 2008

Aretha named PETA's worst-dressed

aretha.jpg Aretha Franklin has been crowned this year's worst-dressed celebrity by the animal rights organization PETA.

What clinched the honor for her, apparently, was the "vulgar fur" she's seen here wearing to the Grammy Awards.

"How 'bout some R-E-S-P-E-C-T for animals?" PETA asked.

Runners up included Marilyn Manson (for frequently wearing leather), Eva Longoria ("trashy furs") Lindsay Lohan (wearing animal pelts), Kate Moss (fur), and Kylie Minogue (for her python purse).

In the past, PETA has singled out Christina Ricci, Martha Stewart and Alicia Keys, all of whom PETA says have given up wearing fur after being named to the list.

To see all of PETA's picks, click here.

(AP Photo)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 8:50 AM | | Comments (3)
        

Comments

Ohhh...don't give PETA any more press by publishing their list. They are a threat to pet owners everywhere.

I agree with PETA that fur is for animal's, the tactic's of personal attacks on people doing something legal, is akin to attacking Christians because they believe in Jesus, or Muslims' because they believe in Allah

It is a freedom of choice to wear fur at present, it is a legal industry. As it is a freedom of choice to choose interracial marriage, which I don't agree with, but does that give me the right as a journalist, to personally attack interracially partnered celeberty couple's to make my point ? because it is my point, and not illegal.

And I can imagine my comparisons may sound extreme to some, but if you think about it - it's the same, I am a Black American, there are many in my culture that don't understand the fur industry, or the way it operates, fur is a statement of glamour to them, and at this point they're right to expression in any way they feel in what they wear, they feel it is they're right to wear fur, and what we wear is an non-verbal expression, an expression which may be tastless to some, but none the less legal.

or is there selective freedom of expression ? I think the priorty with protecting the rights of aninmals is right up there with human rights, but until everyone has the right to the same education, or sophistication that education brings, PETA's tactics are unfair, it is education thet changes thing's not personal attacks on choice.

It's interesting how the above comment endorses freedom of expression for celebrities, but not for animal rights organizations. If the fact that something is *legal* barred one from expressing disapproval of that institution/situation/behavior, no reforms would ever be made; which means, of course, we would still have miscegenation laws, and interracial marriage would be illegal--and apparently, by herb's logic, it would then be alright to attack interracial couples for their illegal personal choices.
As for the personal *attack*, does this list come with some sort of incitement to violence? Some suggestion of a vigilante solution? Even some old-fashioned paint-throwing? No? Then it seems like they are simply expressing an opinion, without causing any tangible harm. Why is this something to get worked up about?
I also don't appreciate the suggestion that black culture is ignorant of the fur industry, as well as ignorant of the distinction between plurals, contractions, and possessives.

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About Jill Rosen
Jill Rosen is a reporter at The Baltimore Sun. During her nearly 20 years in journalism, she has covered news and features — including a surprising number of stories that involved animals. There were the dog Christmas carolers in State College, Pa. There were the hounds who toured with a production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The story of a preschool teacher at Baltimore’s Father Kolbe School who had to replace her class guinea pig, who died over the winter holiday. A harrowing tale of what it was like to make homemade pet food ...

Though her clean freak of a mother refused to allow her to get a dog, she has had a number of pets through the years, including goldfish named Bob and Fingle, a betta fish named Ichabod, a wild rat terrier named Wendel, who she shared with a roommate, and, currently, sweet, sweet kitties named Leo Sesame and Milo Pumpkin and a little rescued pup named Teddy Bean. She, Leo, Pumpkin and Teddy Bean live in Baltimore.
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