Per the request in your legal disclaimer, we are writing to point out
offensive material on StonyBrookSucks.com - a pretty cool Web site with
one problem: Threatening to kill puppies and kittens, even in jest, is a
no-no.

Severe animal abuse is a genuine social problem that our case workers
deal with every day. Abusers need little encouragement to take their
issues out on the most defenseless beings available to them.
Perpetrators of violent acts against animals often turn into repeat
offenders who pose a serious threat not only to animals, but to the
entire community. Giving them any kind of public validation is not a
good idea.

We are pleased to note, as per your disclaimer, that you do not wish to
tarnish the trademark of Stony Brook University and will do your best
"to eliminate any associations with negative things" on your site. You
are obviously creative enough to come up with any number of
attention-getting ways to urge people to post to your message board that
would be better than the old joke ("Buy this magazine or we'll shoot
this dog" - National Lampoon, circa 1970) you're using now.

Please let us know when the offending material will be removed.

Many thanks,

Andrew Christie
Staff Writer/R&I
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
501 Front St.
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757) 622-7382

Thank you for the reply. We are glad to know you will give our concerns
serious consideration. We'd like to send you some materials that will
assist you in evaluating the issues to be considered. Can you give me a
mailing address?

Humane humor using animals is possible, and we believe it is important
to promote respect for animals when violence against them is such a
terrible reality.

To answer your question, we were indeed referred to your website by an
individual who contacted us, as well as the University, out of concern
for this specific content. Said individual was likely given your url in
turn by another concerned individual. (In part, it's this "pass along"
factor that negates the presumption that "anyone sarcastic enough to
take the steps of even typing in my web address, will know it is clearly
a joke.") By the same token, we can confirm that others are finding the
material offensive.
 
Thanks again,

Andrew Christie
Staff Writer/R&I
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
501 Front St.
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757) 622-7382

As you do not wish to provide an address, we are happy to respect your privacy, as we respect the privacy of those who have contacted us and the University to complain about your web site but have not given permission to furnish you with their personal information. Such information has no bearing on the nature of the content of your site or its ability to give offense, nor the fact that it does offend, nor your obligation to fulfill the commitment you have stated in clear English in your legal disclaimer.

Your defense of the First Amendment is commendable. That Amendment applies to the relationship between the U.S. government and its citizens and not to the question of whether your site´s content is offensive.

In the interest of the free and open exchange of information, in the spirit of which our Founding Fathers drafted that noble Amendment, we direct your attention to the following so that you may have the relevant issues and the full scope of the matter at hand before you as you continue your deliberations:

http://www.peta-online.org/alert/automation/AlertItem.asp?id=503

http://www.peta.org/alert/automation/AlertItem.asp?id=572

http://www.peta.org/feat/robeson/

http://www.peta.org/mc/facts/fsc2.html

http://www.peta.org/mc/facts/fsc24.html