PETA vs. Obama

Here it is: During a CNBC interview this week with John Harwood, a fly began buzzing President Obama's head. In an effort to continue with the interview without further distractions, Obama successfully swatted and killed the fly.

When I first learned about this situation, I must admit that I was surprised people even cared. I've spent the past three years studying journalism at the University of Oregon, and amidst the tedious grammar and essay writing, I've learned a fair amount about newsworthiness. It makes sense. As a journalist, you report what people want to hear about. In this case, are people really going to care about Obama swatting a fly? And God forbid, if he killed one in front of the public eye, imagine the others insects he's taken down. Really? Really, America? Is this something you have a deep interest in? Outside of the pure comical aspect of it, is it really necessary to create such a buzz? Well, leave it to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am a self-proclaimed PETA fan and I even have a history of working at my local zoo's Insect Zoo. Although PETA can be pesky and seemingly unreasonable at times, I have always admired its strong and educated stances on issues. And I almost always free the little spider that snuck in through the cracked window, or even the giant wasp that's dive-bombing my head. My conscience doesn't let me kill the little guys. But all of that aside, I can't help but laugh at this hole that Obama has unintentionally dug himself into. PETA certainly has earned a reputation for taking things to the next level, and often times taking situations too far. In this case, I have to say PETA may have done it again.

Even CNBC proudly showcases the video of Obama precisely targeting and then slapping the fly on its website. The clip even has the caption, "The President shows a winged pest who is Commander in Chief." Not exactly compassionate. In the clip, interviewer Harwood even commends Obama with a triumphant "Nice!" after the fly falls to the ground.

In PETA's defense, its website does claim that the media are the ones who began this controversy by contacting PETA and asking for its stance on this issue. But although PETA didn't necessarily initiate this dispute, the organization still has a strong opinion. PETA wasn't hesitant to announce that no matter how small the creature, it's still against any kind of harm. Still, the statement released on its website almost serves to patronize Obama. It says, "As we all know, human beings often don't think before they act." Ok, let's run with this. Our president, whom we elected, doesn't think before he acts? We are at war and in an economic crisis. In my opinion, he has much more important things to be thinking about than a droning fly's life. 

I can definitely respect PETA's stance, but at the same time, I don't think Obama was in the wrong at all and I certainly don't think this incident was a result of Obama not thinking before he acted. For a good laugh, watch the clip.

My vote: Obama 1, PETA 0