It seems tough times have hit nearly everyone. Even PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is losing political support and monetary donations.

More and more, PETA is being viewed as a lunatic fringe group rather than as an ardent protector of animal rights. And, as PETA loses credibility, the organization engages in antics that make it even more laughable.

For example, a few weeks ago, PETA sent a letter to Yassir Arafat (then the Palestinian leader) deploring the Arab-Israeli conflict. However, PETA's letter did not condemn terrorism or the loss of innocent human life in the Middle East struggle. No, PETA protested the use of donkeys by Palestinian terrorists to haul explosives and the danger Israeli tanks posed for stray cats.

Before that, PETA's newsletter front page featured two photographs side by side, one of prisoners in a Nazi concentration camp, the other of caged chickens. The photo caption equated the weekly slaughter of broiler chickens to the wholesale human slaughter during the Holocaust. It was PETA's version of shock and awe, but it wasn't very well done. For one thing, the chicken picture showed not broilers but caged layers, which have a considerably longer life expectancy.

Earlier, PETA tried to draft Jesus to their cause by erecting highway billboards portraying Christ as a vegetarian. This stunt earned PETA widespread criticism.

Hamburg, New York, for more than 100 years has billed itself as the birthplace of the hamburger. Now, PETA wants the town to change its name to "Veggieburg." Leaders of the city that draws thousands of meat eaters to its annual Burgerfest just laughed.

PETA still tries to take itself and its wacky agenda seriously, and any organization that takes itself seriously can endure about anything except ridicule. Even so, PETA continues with bizarre stunts that make the group look more and more ridiculous.

Nevertheless, PETA still is creative when it comes to dredging up publicity with its looney antics (we're even writing about it here). PETA seems to be like the celebrity who states: "Say anything about me you wish, but spell my name right." Much of PETA's behavior may be radical--even ridiculous--but it helps keep animal rights issues in the limelight.

On the downside, PETA's over-the-top stunts turn off a lot of their former sympathizers--and their wallets.