In the wake of chairman's death, PETA asks Oscar Mayer company to "bury the Wienermobile"
Oscar G. Mayer Jr., the man behind the eponymously named bologna, passed away earlier this week at age 95. Mayer was chairman of the meat products company that bears his name (and the names of his father, Oscar G. Mayer Sr., and grandfather, Oscar F. Mayer, who cofounded the company) and worked there for more than 40 years before retiring in the late 1970s. And of course, even after his retirement, he continued to be associated with meat products -- and the Wienermobile.
Now, in the wake of the former chairman's death, PETA is asking the company to "bury the Wienermobile along with Mr. Mayer." In a letter to Oscar Mayer company president Nick Meriggioli, PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman offers her condolences before saying that "laying someone to rest can be an occasion to examine a life as well as an opportunity to send a positive message.
"The Wienermobile travels around the country and entices children to try Oscar Mayer meats that can set them on the road to developing life-threatening illnesses," Reiman continues, citing a Harvard study linking children's consumption of cured meat products to increased risk of developing leukemia.
Reiman goes on to discuss, in detail, the suffering pigs experience in slaughterhouses, and concludes the letter by suggesting the Oscar Mayer company "perhaps go a step further" by launching a line of vegetarian products.
-- Lindsay Barnett
Photo: Friends and relatives carry the casket of George Molchan, who portrayed Oscar Mayer spokesman "Little Oscar" for over thirty years. The Wienermobile led the procession to the cemetery where Molchan was buried, and mourners sang "I Wish I Were An Oscar Mayer Weiner" at the service. Credit: John Luke / Associated Press
Hmm.. I always thought PETA meant 'People Eating Tasty Animals'.
Perhaps PETA should bury the rhetoric and get over themselves.
Posted by: Vale M., Seattle, WA | July 10, 2009 at 12:21 AM
Leave it up to PETA to be absolutely classless. Way to go.
Posted by: Dan | July 10, 2009 at 06:36 AM
How is this unethical treatment of animals? The article states,
"The Wienermobile travels around the country and entices children to try Oscar Mayer meats that can set them on the road to developing life-threatening illnesses,"
That statement tell nothing of the unethical treatment of animals, but rather a concern for American children and obesity. Please, PETA stick to your views about animals, and stop forcing other people to be vegetarians, or vegans, not everyone can be one. Some people actually have a medical condition in which they can't only eat vegetables.
Posted by: Jessica | July 10, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Obviously Oscar Mayer's life was cut short by consumption of these products. He probably would have made it to 100 if he was a vegan. Who even listens to PETA anymore? They have really ruined any chances of credibility with all these half baked stunts they try. Apparently they were "fried" by standing around nude in front of KFC too many times.
Posted by: Dawn | July 10, 2009 at 01:58 PM
If their products are so bad for your health, how was he able to live, presumably eating products from the company he chaired, to the age of 95. If PETA really gave a rip about the welfare of animals, they wouldn't murder over 95% of the dogs they supposedly 'rescue'. Either that, or they care ore about pigs than they do dogs. Dawn, I think you're right. They fried their brains standing around nude at KFC, county fairs, and other places with children. (What happened to laws against exposing yourself sexually to children? Doesn't that apply to PETA members?)
Posted by: James | July 10, 2009 at 03:49 PM
Ah PeTA, where would we be without your absolute lack of class? Oh that's right...much better off
Posted by: Wow | July 10, 2009 at 06:48 PM
I am constantly amazed at PETAs inability to make a valid point and/or make a point without making themselves look like lunatics. I think they would be well invested to hire a Public Relations consultant and follow his advice. The only people that are happy with the way they handle things are the ones who already agree with them. They are not gonna recruit people with anger.
Posted by: amazed | July 11, 2009 at 06:56 AM
PETA should just shut up!!
Posted by: Jon Gill | July 12, 2009 at 08:29 AM
PETA sucks!! They care more about animals then human being and they are a bunch of freaky vegan hypocrites. Now excuse my while I go enjoy an Oscar Meyer beef hot dog. .
Posted by: ilovemeat | July 12, 2009 at 01:30 PM
Wow.
Just...wow. Nice one, PETA. Seriously. You guys are terrible. Bury the Wienermobile? What is wrong with you people?! It's a bloody CAR, for crying out loud!
Take the hint, PETA. You shouldn't just trumpet around and do whatever you think gets the point across. This group has no point, just like a hippo riding a bicycle.
Dear President Obama: Cut federal funding to this group. NOW!
Posted by: ieattastyanimalsandloveit | July 13, 2009 at 02:55 PM
In response to Dawn's comment "Obviously Oscar Mayer's life was cut short by consumption of these products. He probably would have made it to 100 if he was a vegan. " There are actually no none evidence of vegans living to be that old. Many of the oldest people in the world eat meat.
Posted by: DJ | July 18, 2009 at 02:23 PM
none = known sorry for the typo
Posted by: DJ | July 18, 2009 at 02:23 PM
i think that PETA a needs to worry about things like zoos having to euthanize animals because they cannot afford to keep them, not Weinermobiles or President's catching flies,
Flies, are only good for spider food, they harbor disease. Peta should worry about the Michal Vicks in the world and the fact that all around the globe dog fighting, cock fighting, they should spend more time in rodeo's
walk down any street and see the abuse people do to their animals by tying them up on a short leash and no water no love.
Posted by: brooke | July 18, 2009 at 02:37 PM