Trump Announces a New Ceasefire Framework, With a Warning to Hamas
Trump Has a New Message for Republicans in Final BBB Push
While You Celebrate American Freedom, the Left Will Be Protesting It
White House to Honor B-2 Pilots Behind Iran Strike at 4th of July...
Steel Industry Cheers Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill
Schmitt Exposes Dem Misinformation, Confirms Trump’s BBB Cuts Medicaid for 1.4 Million Ill...
Trump Vows to Keep Illegals Off Census: 'We Want to Bring Our Elections...
Homan Slams CNN For Promoting App That Tracks ICE
Cannibal on Deportation Flight: Noem Reveals Shocking Case as ICE Target Nation’s 'Worst...
Woke Designer Mocks Deportations in Paris Runway Show as Bukele Offers to Send...
Did You See What Ilhan Omar Posted About Somalia?
UPenn to Strip 'Lia' Thomas of Titles He Robbed From Deserving Female Athletes
Trump, Noem Tour Alligator Alcatraz: 'Not a Place I Want to Go Hiking...
More Goodies in Trump’s OBBB: School Choice Provision From Ted Cruz
The Trump Administration Is Suing This Left-Wing City Over Its Immigration Policies
Tipsheet
Premium

PETA Demands America Changes Its Groundhog Day Tradition

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File

Every year Americans watch on Groundhog Day as Punxsutawney Phil determines whether or not there will be six more weeks of winter. If the groundhog sees his shadow, it means winter is supposed to last another six weeks. If he doesn't see his shadow, then spring is said to arrive early.

Of course, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is taking issue with the long-held tradition. According to the animal rights organization, Punxsutawney Phil should retire to an animal sanctuary and be replaced with an "animatronic groundhog that would use artificial intelligence to predict the weather," WPXI-TV reported.

PETA's president, Ingrid Newkirk, sent the following letter to Bill Deeley, the president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club:

Dear Mr. Deeley,

Times change. Traditions evolve. It's long overdue for Phil to be retired.

As a prey species, groundhogs actively avoid humans. Being in close proximity to the public causes these animals great stress. When Phil is dragged out of his hole and held up to flashing lights and crowds, he has no idea what's happening. Being relegated to a library "habitat" for the other days of the year doesn't allow him or the other groundhog there to dig, burrow, or forage. It's no kind of life for these animals.

Using technologically advanced electromechanical devices such as animatronics instead of live animals is more popular than ever. We even have the technology to create an animatronic groundhog with artificial intelligence (AI) that could actually predict the weather. An AI Phil would renew interest in Punxsutawney, generating a great deal of buzz, much like Sony's robot dog "aibo," which walks, plays, misbehaves, and responds to commands. By creating an AI Phil, you could keep Punxsutawney at the center of Groundhog Day but in a much more progressive way. Talk about taking your town's annual tradition in a fresh and innovative direction!

Today's young people are born into a world of terabytes, and to them, watching a nocturnal rodent being pulled from a fake hole isn't even worthy of a text message. This is a generation whose members book rides on their smart phones and will never walk into a bank to deposit a check. Ignoring the nation's fast-changing demographics might well prove the end of Groundhog Day.

We'd be happy to make recommendations for a sanctuary that would welcome Phil and the other Punxsutawney groundhog. Instead of working at cross-purposes, let's collaborate to create a sunny future. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours truly,

Ingrid Newkirk, President PETA

Now the question is: will they cave to PETA's demands?

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement