Meat is murder, he wrote

Even if you’re not enamored of your fellow man, it’s still possible to feel empathy for animals and celebrities. Without benefit of wrinkly forebrains or sentience, animals are empty receptacles for projected emotion — just like Pamela Anderson. The connection: Dan Mathews, 20-year leader of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, who has built the organization’s influence by courting celebrities to pose nude, eschew fur and eat vegetables. He comes to Borders in Overland Park (9108 Metcalf, 913-642-3642) tonight at 7 in support of his memoir, Committed. The book documents his struggles with celebrity spokespeople and the exigencies of animal-based fashions. Love him or hate him, the man’s got a story to tell.— Chris packham

Wed., May 21, 2008