No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of radical advocacy groups, but even in that context, PETA’s latest advertising campaign sets new lows.  Last week, an attacker beheaded and cannibalized a man on a Canadian bus, a revolting crime that made headlines around the world.  But where human beings saw tragedy and lunacy, PETA saw … opportunity:

An animal rights group has posted an ad on its website comparing the recent stabbing and decapitation of a young Winnipeg man to how humans kill animals for food.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said the advertisement is meant to make people understand how animals suffer when they are killed in slaughterhouses. The group posted the imageless advertisement on its blog site Wednesday. …

Tim McLean, 22, was stabbed and then beheaded by a fellow passenger as the two rode an eastbound Greyhound bus across Manitoba last Wednesday. The man accused of second-degree murder, Vince Weiguang Li, allegedly engaged in cannibalism during the attack, which occurred just west of Portage la Prairie.

Designed using large, bold type, the ad compares McLean’s struggles to those endured by an animal being slaughtered for its meat. It then refers to Li’s alleged act of cannibalism before saying, “It’s still going on!”

Here’s the ad:

Yes, for those who cannot distinguish between a cow and a human being, I suppose this makes sense.  For those who equate chickens and people, this kind of ghoulish equivalency is second nature.  And it’s not like PETA didn’t understand the backlash they would get from exploiting McLean’s death; at the end of the ad, they write:

“If this ad leaves a bad taste in your mouth, please give a thought as to what sensitive animals think and feel when they come to the end of their frightening journey ….”

Sorry, Gaia worshippers.  I’m more concerned with McLean’s end and the sorrow of his family and friends.  McLean never chose to be a political figure before PETA decided to exploit him for their own purposes.  Most of the thinking world distinguishes between humans and animals, although with certain PETA members, perhaps we’re being too generous.

Update: I forgot to hat-tip HA reader Dave Rywall for this story, who says I should note that there may be hope for him yet — but probably not.