Whales Are Not People, Corporations Still Are
By Rocky Thompson on February 10th, 2012
The People for Ethical Treatment of Animals brought a lawsuit in California seeking for the release of SeaWorld whales. The suit argued that whales are protected under the slavery laws of the US constitution. A judge disagreed saying only humans are protected.
“As ‘slavery’ and ‘involuntary servitude’ are uniquely human activities, as those terms have been historically and contemporaneously applied, there is simply no basis to construe the Thirteenth Amendment as applying to non-humans,” Miller wrote in his ruling.
If nothing else it’s a clever way to keep the mistreatment of animals in the news. I have little love for PETA’s antics, but I’m happy to see them spending court time on raising questions and awareness. Now someone has to try to enslave a corporation and we’ll see if they’re protected as well.
