Charging that Gene Autry's "Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer" contributes to the acceptance of bullying, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals [PETA] today called on all radio stations to ban the song during the holiday season.
A PETA spokesman said: " 'Rudolph' carries a hidden message that bullying is not something to worry about. In this case, Rudolph was only accepted by the other Reindeer because Santa chose him to guide his sleigh through the dark and gloomy night. If Santa had not intervened, Rudolph would still be called names and laughed at by his peers, and still wouldn't be allowed to join in any reindeer games.
"What about all the other odd-looking reindeer, the ones Santa didn't choose to lead Donner and his companions ? The normal reindeer still bully them, laugh at them, and exclude them from the fun the rest of the reindeer are having. No, Autry's 'Rudolph' simply saves one funny looking animal while all the rest suffer the slings and arrows of the bullies."
The next few weeks will reveal the success or failure of PETA's boycott.
