In lieu of animals, PETA willing to treat humans like meat

In a People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) ad spot that recently debuted in the Houston area, Alicia Silverstone endorsed the vegetarian lifestyle while appearing in the nude (though her unmentionables were, of course, covered by strategically placed limbs). According to the Associated Press, PETA selected Houston "because it is often high on lists of cities with unhealthy eating habits." In some kind of unscientific poll conducted by Men's Fitness last year, Houston ranked as America's sixth fattest city, although Chicago remains the city most likely to be selected last in gym class.

Here's the ad:





What I find most shocking about the spot is not PETA's apparent willingness to combat animal exploitation through exploitation of humans, but their belief that Alicia Silverstone is sufficiently famous that the mere "sensational" act of her stripping is enough to garner support for vegetarianism. Her star has fallen so far, I'm actually stunned to learn that she hasn't appeared in pornography yet. In fact, I now think less of the vegetarian lifestyle if only because PETA could find no other celebrity to support it. You're telling me that Angelina Jolie won't speak out in favor of vegetarianism? What about Seann William Scott and his two n's? I'm sorry, PETA, but I'm going to need more than Alicia Silverstone to put down this delicious steak.

But if PETA can get away with this ad, it gives other washed up celebrities hope that they may also someday get paid a nominal fee to participate in social activism. For example:

• Jonathan Taylor Thomas for Habitat for Humanity
• John Stamos for VH1's Save the Music
  
• Matt LeBlanc, also for PETA